Examination of the Relationship among Death Anxiety, Spirituality, Religious Orientation and Existential Anxiety

Year 2016, Volume: 1 Issue: 2, 176 - 217, 15.08.2016

Merve Halıcı Kurtulan Özlem Karaırmak

Abstract

In this study, the associations among death anxiety, spiritual tendencies, existential anxiety, and religious
tendencies were examined. In addition, this study investigated whether these variables changed with
respect to demographic characteristics. The study group was composed of 404 university students. Data was
collected by administering the personal demographic form, Death Anxiety Scale, Existential Scale, Religious
Tendency Scale, and Spirituality Scale. In line with the purpose of the study, the relational screening
model and descriptive methods have been used and participants are identified as study groups. Male
participants scored significantly higher than female participants. Gender was not found to have an effect
on the other variables. Existential anxiety did not differ within groups with respect to having a religious
education. Participants who had received a religious education had higher death anxiety and less spiritual
tendencies. Motivation for religious tendencies was found to be external. According to the results, death
anxiety and existential anxiety are negatively correlated; existential anxiety and spiritual tendencies are
positively correlated; and religious tendencies, which have externally motivations, and spiritual tendencies
are negatively correlated. Death anxiety, spiritual tendencies, and religious tendencies predict existential
anxiety. As suggestions, the number of studies that examine the associations among existential anxiety,
religious tendencies, and spiritual tendencies should be increased, and the quality of religious education
should be discussed in detail.

Keywords

Death anxiety, Existence, Piety, Spirituality