Annual of social work, Vol. 14 No. 1, 2007.
Preliminary communication
REFLECTION ON DEATH – AGE AND GENDER DIFFERENCES
Ana Štambuk
Abstract
In the introductory part of the paper, the author connects the consideration about the meaning of life with reflections on death, contemplating death in the context of a challenge for a better quality of life.
The aim of the paper was to analyse are there differences with regard to age and gender in the considerations of one’s own death, belief in life after death, the meaning of death, the aspects of the discomfort related to death and feelings that accompany the reflection on death. 488 respondents stratified in five age groups took part in the conducted research: 20-34 years of age (98), 35-49 years of age (96), 50-64 (92), 65-79 (107), 80 and older (95). Obtained results showed that the respondents on average rarely reflect on their own death, although older age groups reflect on it more than younger ones, and women reflect on it more than men. Older age groups and women in general have a greater belief in life after death. The results have shown that considerably more respondents of all age groups tend to believe in life after death (81.35 per cent). The most frequent answer to the question how do they feel when you reflect on your own death is: I am happy to be alive (54.92 per cent). There are no differences with regard to age and gender in view of the feelings that accompany reflection on death.
Keywords
reflection on death; belief in life after death; the meaning of death; aspects of discomfort related to death; feelings related to death
Hrčak ID:
11498
URI
Publication date:
1.4.2007.
Visits: 5.229 *