Death Anxiety, Mental Health and Meaning in Life During COVID-19

Abstract

Objectives: COVID-19 triggered feelings of uncertainty, resulting in people worrying about both their lives and the lives of their families. Studies showed that prevalence of anxiety in society increased due to COVID-19 and that there was a greater need for mental health care. The aim of this study was to research the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals’ death anxiety, mental health, sense of meaning in life. Materials and Methods: This study is a cross-sectional design. The study was conducted with 565 individuals reached online. The data were obtained using Turkish Death Anxiety Scale, General Health Questionnaire-12, Meaning in Life Questionnaire between 1-20 June 2021. Results: It was found that those who had had COVID-19, whose relatives had had the disease or who had lost relatives due to it, had a higher level of death anxiety. Participants with a symptomatic history of COVID-19 had a higher risk of mental health problems. Those at risk of mental health problems and those who were searching for meaning in their lives had more death anxiety. Conclusion: Health professionals should evaluate the feelings and thoughts of patients and their relatives about COVID-19 and allow them to express these. They should also help them find meaning in their experiences of the disease and cope with death anxiety.

Keywords

• anxiety
• COVID-19
• death anxiety
• mental health
• meaning in life

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