Death Anxiety in Older Adults: The Role of Perceived Social Support and Psychological Hardiness Mediated by Resilience among Older Adults in Tehran

Abstract

Due to the increasing elderly population in Iran, it is crucial to examine the factors influencing death anxiety in this group. Accordingly, this study aimed to model the structural equations of death anxiety based on perceived social support and psychological hardiness, with the mediation of resilience among older adults. The statistical population of this study included elderly men and women residing in Tehran. A total of 302 participants were purposefully selected and completed the Templer Death Anxiety Scale, Perceived Social Support Questionnaire, Psychological Hardiness Scale, and Resilience Scale. The findings indicated that psychological hardiness, social support, and resilience could predict death anxiety in older adults. All path coefficients examined were statistically significant. Perceived social support and psychological hardiness not only had direct effects but also influenced death anxiety through the mediating variable of resilience. Perceived social support and psychological hardiness had significant negative effects on death anxiety. Resilience acted as a mediator between perceived social support and death anxiety with 99% confidence and between psychological hardiness and death anxiety with 95% confidence. The research model demonstrated a good fit with the observed data. Enhancing perceived social support and psychological hardiness is proposed as an effective approach to preventing and reducing psychological vulnerabilities in older adults. Attention to these variables can contribute to reducing death anxiety and improving the mental health of the elderly.