Relationship of death anxiety/fear to health-seeking beliefs and behaviors.

Abstract

The relationship of death anxiety/fear to health beliefs and behaviors was examined. One hundred and three college students completed the modified Death Anxiety Scale (DAS), the Death Anxiety Questionnaire (DAQ), the Death Attitude Profile (DAP), the Health Opinion Survey (HOS), and an item asking whether the participant had visited a physician at least once a year for a routine examination. The results indicated that those scoring higher on the DAS were less likely to be actively involved in their health care. Males were found to be less likely to prefer health information and to visit the doctor for an annual routine examination than females. In addition, females with high death anxiety (DAQ) were more likely to prefer health information than males with high death anxiety. These results underscore the need to examine the relationship of gender role to health-related beliefs.