Reduction in death threat as a basis for optimal functioning

Abstract

Personal construct psychology and existential philosophy suggest that a positive resolution of the issue of personal mortality enables a person to live a more intense, meaningful life. The present study tested this hypothesis by inviting participation in selected death education experiences designed to produce more positive death orientation and higher levels of psychological functioning. Participants in the study were 96 undergraduate psychology students, who participated in a randomly assigned experience: completing a personal obituary, writing a farewell letter, or, for the control group, participating in a stress management experience. Prior to this experience, the participants completed the Purpose in Life Test (PIL), the Collett-Lester Fear of Death Scale (FDS), a slightly modified form of the Threat Index (TI), and a Personal Data Questionnaire. All but one student returned about seven weeks later to complete the first three questionnaires again. The TI was modified for scoring two differentiation and two integration indices of optimal functioning. Multivariate analyses failed to support the impact of the death-related experiences on death orientation or optimal functioning. Further analyses revealed significantly more negative death orientation for females, as well as the significant association of strong religious beliefs and practices with positive death orientation. Discussion focused on strengths and limitations of the investigation and presented implications for research in the areas of death orientation and optimal functioning.

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