Should we Prepare for Death? (Some Factors of Preparation for Death in Latvian Adult Population, 2020)

Description

To find a model of factors of attitudes to preparation for death as part of promotion of Death and Dying studies (Thanatology) as a transdisciplinary field of academic inquiry in Latvia. For this purpose, two scales were adapted into Latvian: the Death Attitude Profile - Revised (DAP-R) and the Collet-Lester scale Fear of Death and Dying (FDDS). . The data were gathered in 2020 via stratified randomized sampling of Latvian adult population (N=1012, aged 18 -75). Correlations between measures of preparation to death, demographic characteristics, DAP-R dimensions (Fear of Death, Death Avoidance, Neutral Acceptance, Approach Acceptance, Escape Acceptance), and FDDS subscales (Death of Self, Dying of Self, Death of Others, Dying of Others) were measured and tested (χ2 test). Hierarchical binary logistic regression model was used to find predictors of preparation for death.. In response to the question “Do you think a person should prepare for his death?” Latvian population chose the following answers: 12.3% “definitely yes”, 26.7% “rather yes”, 21.7% “rather no”, 21.8% “definitely no”, while 17.6 had no answer. Statistically significant factors related to preparation for death are age, faith, family status, education, ethnicity, place of residence, while on the Fear of Death and Dying scale these are Death of self, Dying of self; on the Death Attitude Profile – all dimensions, except Fear of Death attitude. Predictors of preparation for death presented by hierarchical binary logistic regression model are age, education, Death Avoidance attitude and Approach Acceptance attitude. Increasing Approach Acceptance attitude was associated with an increased likelihood of death preparation, but increasing Death Avoidance attitude was associated with a reduction in the likelihood of death preparation.. Predictors of preparation for death are age, education, Death Avoidance attitude and Approach Acceptance attitude.

Period	29 Mar 2023
Event title	RSU Research week 2023: PLACES
Event type	Conference
Conference number	3
Organiser	Rīga Stradiņš University
Location	Rīga, LatviaShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International