Death Anxiety and Personality: Are they Truly Related?

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate a multidimensional conceptualization of death, as opposed to the traditional unidimensional approach, by utilizing a randomly-ordered questionnaire composed of selected personality variables and two measures of death anxiety (Templer's 1970 Death Anxiety Scale and Sarnoff and Corwin's 1959 Fear of Death Scale). Personality variables measured were extraversion-introversion, neuroticism, Type AB behaviors, and major life stressors. The questionnaire was completed by 161 undergraduates attending a Southwestern college. Results of Pearson correlation analyses demonstrated that both death anxiety scales were significantly related to neuroticism and to Type A behavior patterns, such that high death anxiety was correlated with greater emotionality and more aggressiveness. Correlational measures with extraversion and life stressors did not reach significance. Stepwise multiple regression analyses indicated that neuroticism, Type A behaviors, extraversion, and anticipated life stressors accounted for a significant amount of variability in death anxiety. Suggestions made for future researchers include measuring different populations and further developing a multidimensional conceptualization of death.