A Comparison Study on Attitude Toward Death and Meaning of Death of Nursing Students and Non-Nursing Major Students in Korea

Abstract

The study was to investigate the attitude toward death and meaning of death of nursing students and non-nursing major students. This study was used a descriptive comparative designed. Data were collected universities in J city in from June. 1 to June. 30 in 2014. After receiving the agreement, 150 nursing students and 117 non-nursing major students were recruited. They were asked to fill in a self-reported questionnaire about the attitude toward death and meaning of death. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and pearson correlation. This study compared the other major university student study the results of the meaning of death than nursing students is much lower, but no significant differences in the attitude toward death. There was a significant correlation between the a death anxiety (death of others & dying of self) and meanings of death (negative) in nursing student and the other major university student. On the other hand, there was a significant negative correlation between the a death anxiety (death of self & dying of others) and meanings of death (positive) in the other major university student. The finding of the study provide the basis for expanding education related to death for the other major university student. A training course may help nursing student develop their view on the meaning of death, which in turn would enhance their performance in caring dying patients.