Relationship between meaning in life and death anxiety in the elderly: self-esteem as a mediator – Background
Death anxiety may be a common phenomenon altogether societies. Older adults could also be more susceptible to death anxiety than their younger counterparts; however, death anxiety among older adults isn’t well understood. This study explores the connection between meaning in life, self-esteem, and death anxiety in senior citizens in China.

Older adults and therefore the aging population must face the prospect of death . Death is an inevitable aspect of life; as older adults approach it, they will easily experience anxiety, a reduced sense of safety, and even strong fear . within the psychology field, this psychological state is termed death anxiety. Death anxiety may be a conscious or unconscious mental state resulting from a defense reaction which will be triggered when people feel threatened by death . The North American Nursing Diagnosis Association defines death anxiety as a sense of unsafety, anxiety, or fear associated with death or near-death . Death anxiety may be a common phenomenon altogether societies, although older adults could also be more susceptible to anxiety and fear when encountering death-related events compared to their younger counterparts . Thus, relieving death anxiety in older adults may play a crucial role in improving their psychological state and quality of life.