%0 Journal Article %J Death Stud %D 2017 %T Death across the lifespan: Age differences in death-related thoughts and anxiety. %A William J. Chopik %K Adolescent %K Adult %K Aged %K Aged, 80 and over %K Aging %K Anxiety %K Attitude to Death %K Cross-Sectional Studies %K Female %K Humans %K Longitudinal Studies %K Male %K Middle Aged %K Thinking %K Young Adult %X

Many studies have found age-related declines in death-related anxiety. Why do death-related thoughts and anxiety decline across the lifespan when exposure to, and likelihood of, death increase over time? In Study 1, a cross-sectional survey of 2,363 adults, death-related thoughts declined across the lifespan. In Study 2, a longitudinal study of 9,815 adults followed over a 4-year period, death anxiety declined across the lifespan. Further, greater social support predicted lower levels of death anxiety over time, after controlling for self-rated health and chronic illnesses. Close relationships serve emotion regulation functions to decrease death anxiety and thoughts across the lifespan.

%B Death Stud %V 41 %P 69-77 %8 2017 02 %G eng %U https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07481187.2016.1206997 %N 2 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27573253?dopt=Abstract %! Death Studies %R 10.1080/07481187.2016.1206997