A study on the Social Activeness and Death Anxiety among elderly
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A study on the Social activeness and Death anxiety among the elderly
*S. Thenndral
*Hannah Paul
Abstract: The world health organisation recognises anyone above the age of 60 as elderly, the phase after which is termed as ‘late adulthood’. This period is marked by characteristic physical, cognitive and psychosocial changes, social activeness being one such area in which the change is clearly visible.(Papalia, D.E., 2008) The indulgence of oneself in social activities like attending social gatherings, parties, family functions, recreation clubs, etc. tends to change with change in age. With gradual increase in time, death begins to be a major concern for individuals in this phase, often resulting in death anxiety, which is a term used to conceptualise the apprehension generated by death awareness (Abdel-Khalek, 2005).
Theoretical evidences suggest that social engagement can lead to successful/optimal/healthy aging, and hence a link can be established between social activeness and death anxiety.
There is a need for this study because there have been very less research studies on this topic, especially in the Indian context, so this topic craves a need for it to be studied. It is a cross sectional descriptive research design wherein purposive sampling methodology was followed.
The research hypothesis of the study was: 1. There will be a significant negative correlation between (high) social activeness and death anxiety; 2. There will be a significant gender difference on social activeness and death anxiety. The sample (elderly people aged between
60 and 70 years) (n=200) was administered to the following scales- social activeness scale
(Berkman-Syme Social Network index, 1979) and death anxiety scale (Templer’s (1970) 15item Death Anxiety Scale (DAS)). A qualitative interview was also conducted for more information and the results are presented below..
Keywords: Social Activeness, Death Anxiety.
*Undergraduate Students, The Madras School
A study on the Social activeness and Death anxiety among the elderly
*S. Thenndral
*Hannah Paul
Abstract: The world health organisation recognises anyone above the age of 60 as elderly, the phase after which is termed as ‘late adulthood’. This period is marked by characteristic physical, cognitive and psychosocial changes, social activeness being one such area in which the change is clearly visible.(Papalia, D.E., 2008) The indulgence of oneself in social activities like attending social gatherings, parties, family functions, recreation clubs, etc. tends to change with change in age. With gradual increase in time, death begins to be a major concern for individuals in this phase, often resulting in death anxiety, which is a term used to conceptualise the apprehension generated by death awareness (Abdel-Khalek, 2005).
Theoretical evidences suggest that social engagement can lead to successful/optimal/healthy aging, and hence a link can be established between social activeness and death anxiety.
There is a need for this study because there have been very less research studies on this topic, especially in the Indian context, so this topic craves a need for it to be studied. It is a cross sectional descriptive research design wherein purposive sampling methodology was followed.
The research hypothesis of the study was: 1. There will be a significant negative correlation between (high) social activeness and death anxiety; 2. There will be a significant gender difference on social activeness and death anxiety. The sample (elderly people aged between
60 and 70 years) (n=200) was administered to the following scales- social activeness scale
(Berkman-Syme Social Network index, 1979) and death anxiety scale (Templer’s (1970) 15item Death Anxiety Scale (DAS)). A qualitative interview was also conducted for more information and the results are presented below..
Keywords: Social Activeness, Death Anxiety.
*Undergraduate Students, The Madras School
References: Abdel-khalek, A.M (2005). Death Anxiety in clinical and non-clinaical groups. Death Studies 29,251-259 Berkman, et al.,(2003);Loucks, et al., (2006).Berkmansyme Social Network Index Belsky, J.(1999) Late Cuming, E., and Henry, W.E. (1961).Growing old: The process of disengagement. New York: Basic books Erikson, E.H. (1985)Normative issues and tasks.Human Development. New York: Tata McGraw Hill Farley,G. (2010) Death anxiety. National Health Service. UK. Lehto, R.H. (2009) An Analysis of an Evolving Concept, Michigan State University, East Lansing Lonetto, R., and Templer, D.I. (1986).Death Anxiety. Washington, DC: Hemisphere publishing. Neugaeten, B. (1968) Models of Succesful Aging.Human Development . New York: Tata McGraw Hill Papalia, D.E. (2008), Human Development. New York: Tata McGraw Hill Schaie, K.W., and Baltes, P.B