The effect of death education course on dying and death knowledge, attitudes, anxiety and fears

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Daniel L. Bibeau, Professor (Creator)
James M. Eddy, Department Head and Professor (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: It is believed that socio-historical changes in the way Americans view dying and death have increased the need for formal and informal instruction in this area (Kubler-Ross 1969, Farmer 1970, Pine 1977, Simpson 1979). These and other authors postulate there was a more positive attitude toward death in the nineteenth century due in part to higher childhood mortality rates, large extended families, and shorter life expectancies. These factors often brought people into direct contact with death experiences. However, in the twentieth century, childhood mortality rates decreased, families developed a more nuclear structure, and death was removed from the family residence to institutions such as hospitals (Simpson 1970). For these reasons, it is believed that death became a taboo topic of discussion (Feifel 1963, Wass and Shaak 1976).

Additional Information

Publication
Health Educator, 17, 1,15-18
Language: English
Date: 1985
Keywords
death education, death, dying, death knowledge

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