Factors Influencing the Elderly's Positive Perception of Death

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to identify the factors that influence the spiritual well-being and death anxiety of the elderly, impacting their perception of a good death. Method: The study included 139 elderly individuals attending senior centers and welfare facilities in three cities—Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, and Gangwon-do. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis using SPSS 23.0. Results: The research results revealed that spiritual well-being exhibited a negative correlation with death anxiety (r = -.987, p < .001) and a positive correlation with the perception of a good death (r = .511, p < .001). Additionally, anxiety showed a significant negative correlation with the perception of a good death (r = -.025, p < .001). A higher level of spiritual well-being was associated with an increased awareness of a good death, and the combined explanatory power of these variables was 26.0%. Conclusion: The results of this study emphasize the need for developing an intervention program aimed at reducing death anxiety and enhancing spiritual well-being to improve the perception of a good death among the elderly.