The Effects of a Death Preparing Education Program on Death Anxiety, Spiritual Well-being, and Meaning of Life in Adults

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analysis the effect of death preparing education on death anxiety, spiritual well-being and meaning of life in adults. METHODS: This study adopted the one group pre-posttest design. Data collection and intervention were performed from January 19 to 25, 2009. The participants were 30 adults (aged 20 or older) in Jeonju City. The death preparing education program consisted of five steps. Data were analyzed through paired t-test with the SPSS/WIN 12.0 program. RESULTS: There were significant differences in death anxiety, spiritual well-being and meaning of life between before and after the death preparing education program. CONCLUSION: The death preparing education program for adults was confirmed to be an effective intervention to lower death anxiety and to improve spiritual well-being and the meaning of life. Therefore, we look forward to the broad application of this program to adults.