Ego integrity and fear of death: A comparison of institutionalized and independently living older adults

Abstract

Abstract This study tested the hypothesis that level of resolution of Erikson's ego integrity versus despair crisis is inversely related to fear of death in older adults. Differences related to type of residence were also investigated. Fifty-one older adults ages 70 to 90 (11 males, 40 females) from a nursing home (N = 25) and an apartment complex (N = 26) completed measures of ego integrity and fear of death. Results of analyses of variance supported an inverse relationship between ego integrity and fear of death. This relationship was modified by type of residence indicating that among low integrity individuals, those living in the nursing home reported higher fear of death than those living in the apartment complex. No difference in fear of death in relation to residence type was obtained for high integrity individuals. If low ego integrity individuals lack a strong, internal support system they may be more dependent on external supports. It can be speculated that differences between independent and in...