Religiosity and Death Anxiety: A Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Abstract

Theoretical and empirical studies of religion's effects on human frustration and anxiety are reviewed. The multi-dimensionality of death anxiety is discussed in relationship to studies employing religion as an independent variable. The utility of religious belief and practice in predicting death anxiety is explored with survey data from a statewide probability sample (N=1,279). Curvilinearity in the relationships between religiosity and all the dimensions of death anxiety--death avoidance, death fear, death denial, and reluctance to interact with the dying--is evident; religious practice is a better predictor of death anxiety than religious belief. In the multiple regression analysis, religion is found to explain more of the variance in death fear and reluctance to interact with the dying than does the combination of income, education, age, occupational status, area reared, and area of residence.