A Comparison of Terminally Ill Persons at Various Time Periods to Death

Abstract

A cross-sectional comparison was made of the responses of 1,110 terminally ill persons with cancer at varying time periods prior to death. In addition, a longitudinal analysis on a subgroup of this sample was conducted for self-reported mood changes and social interaction changes as death approached. Two theories, Disengagement and Objective Self-Awareness, which suggest that people nearing death would increase in their desire to separate from others, were not supported. In general, there were few differences in the responses of persons further from, or closer to, death. The mention of religion as a source of support was less common among persons closer to death. Finally, awareness of one's demise had an effect only on one's responses regarding the role of other people in the life of the terminally ill person.