Mental Health and Death Anxiety among Community- Dwelling Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31674/mjn.2025.v17isupp1.013Abstract
Background: Elderly individuals, while representing a vital part of society, often experience psychological challenges associated with ageing. Among these, mental health problems and death anxiety are particularly significant, as they directly affect quality of life and social contribution. Identifying their psychological status and related factors is therefore essential to support the well-being of this vulnerable group. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the mental status and death anxiety level of elderly people in Najaf city and to find out the relationship between death anxiety and mental status with socio-demographic data among elderly people. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from 15th October 2023 to 1st April 2024 on a sample of 200 community-dwelling elderly participants in Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf province. Results: Most of the study participants exhibited death anxiety and abnormal mental status, indicating possible cognitive impairment. A highly significant relationship was observed between mental status and age, marital status, and economic status (p < 0.01), whereas number of children and place of residence showed no significant effect. The study also found a non-significant correlation between mental status and death anxiety. Conclusion: The study concluded that most of the study samples had abnormal mental status, indicating possible cognitive impairment and the presence of death anxiety. Hence, the study recommends encouraging elderly people to do many simple daily activities to distract them from thinking about death and enhance their mental state, such as worship, reading, and housework.
Keywords:
Death Anxiety, Disorder, Elderly, Mental StatusDownloads
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