Determinants of Death Anxiety Following Ischemic Stroke: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of death anxiety in patients following ischemic stroke and to identify the clinical and psychological factors associated with death anxiety.
Materials and Methods: The study population comprised 87 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of ischemic stroke, at least three months post-stroke, and a Standardized Mini-Mental Test (SMMT) score greater than 23. Activities of daily living were assessed using the Barthel Index. Anxiety and depression levels were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), sleep quality with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and death anxiety with the Thorson–Powell Death Anxiety Scale.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 61.8 ± 10.5 years, and 21.8% were female. Death anxiety was present in 33.3% of patients. Patients with high death anxiety had significantly higher anxiety, depression, and poor sleep quality scores (p<0.05). In multivariate analysis, anxiety was the only factor independently associated with high death anxiety (OR=1.317; 95% CI=1.121– 1.547; p = 0.001).
Conclusion: Approximately one-third of patients experience high death anxiety following ischemic stroke. Anxiety was independently associated with elevated death anxiety, highlighting the importance of routine psychological assessment and targeted interventions during rehabilitation.
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Psychiatry
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Abdurrahman Şahin
0009-0004-6881-8164
Türkiye
Büşra Uçar Bostan
0000-0002-8639-2302
Türkiye
Havva Talay Çaliş
0000-0002-8897-8921
Türkiye
Publication Date
August 31, 2026
Submission Date
June 29, 2026
Acceptance Date
August 11, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 11 Number: 2