Fear of Death, Compassion, and Good Death among Portuguese Higher Education Students: an observational study
C. Laranjeira, M. PereiraIntroduction
Although discussing the inevitability of death involves everyone, previous evidence has focused more on stakeholders’ perspectives on the dying process and less on young, healthy adults.
Objectives
This study sought to analyse the relationship between the concept of a good death, fear of death and self-compassion among higher education students.
Methods
An e-survey was conducted in Portugal between November 2024 and January 2025 with 310 higher education students. The Good Death Concept Scale, the Collett-Lester Fear of Death Scale, and the Self-Compassion Scale were employed, along with a personal questionnaire. Descriptive analysis, independent sample t-tests, one-way ANOVA with post hoc analysis, and Pearson correlation analysis were all performed using JAMOVI statistical software (version 2.7.6). A multivariate linear regression analysis was used to determine the variables linked to death fear. The STROBE reporting checklist was followed in this study.
Results
The mean age was 25 ± 8.52 years, with 75.2% of participants being female. The overall mean score for fear of death was 99.22 ± 21.97, signifying comparatively low levels of death fear. Health sciences students had elevated mortality anxiety levels in comparison to their non-health counterparts. Significant age and gender disparities were observed, with female and younger students exhibiting markedly elevated levels of death anxiety (p < 0.01). The Pearson correlation matrix revealed a positive link between fear of death and the concept of a good death, while demonstrating a negative correlation with self-compassion (p < 0.01). The main variables affecting the fear of death encompass age, gender, domains of closure and control, and the overidentification subscale (R2=0.352).
Conclusions
Our results indicate that students frequently lack adequate preparation to confront death-related matters. Consequently, it is essential to implement curricular educational interventions centered on death education while actively engaging students in compassionate community efforts to enhance their awareness and self-assurance around end-of-life care.
Disclosure of Interest
None Declared