Exploring the Psychology of End-of-Life Experiences: A Review of Dying Process Theories

Abstract

This study is a literature review of theories of the psychology of dying people, a vital area of interest in Japan. Terminally ill patients struggle to express their psychological distress, and nurses cannot adequately address their needs, making it difficult to support the “patient’s desired dying process.” This literature review aims to ascertain whether a theory exists that can explain people’s psychology in the process of dying in clinical settings. A keyword search was conducted across multiple databases, comparing the use of various keywords and databases for domestic research within Japan and international contexts. The analysis revealed that, at the end-of-life stage, terminally ill patients begin using words and performing actions they have not said or done before, owing to the “awareness of imminent death.” However, currently, no theory explains their psychology. Therefore, research into constructing a theory on this topic is essential.