Clinical and Experimental Medical Journal
Volume/Issue:
Volume 3: Issue 2
Attitudes toward death in Hungary using the multidimensional fear of death scale
Authors:
Ágnes Zana Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, H-1089, Budapest, Hungary

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,
Gábor Szabó Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary

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, and
Katalin Hegedűs Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary

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Pages:
327–335
Online Publication Date:
01 Jun 2009
Publication Date:
01 Jun 2009
Article Category:
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1556/CEMED.3.2009.2.12
Keywords:
fear of death; Multidimensional Fear of Death Scale; youth; age groups
Restricted access

Abstract

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the attitudes displayed towards death by the youth and their mental health in the Hungarian population and to compare the results to data published in the literature. Our goal was to examine changes in the way youth conceived death, furthermore to examine the way youth perceived their own death within a small generational comparison study.

Methods

In order to measure the degree and possible dimensions of the fear of death in Hungarian young the Multidimensional Fear of Death Scale (MFODS) was used. The samples came from different socio-economic groups in Budapest, the capital of Hungary.

Results

The two highest anxiety factors were Fear for Significant Others and Fear of the Dying Process in all the examined groups. A significant difference in the overall fear of death was detected between the young and middle aged groups (p = 0.000) but the most characteristic difference was found between the young and older age groups.

Conclusions

This study confirmed previous observations in Western type societies being the first in Hungary to use the validated MFODS method. Improvement of communication within families, opening up channels of communication about death and dying together with the use and distribution of educational materials in schools may reduce fear of death and anxiety among young people.

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Cover Clinical and Experimental Medical Journal
Clinical and Experimental Medical Journal
Print ISSN:
2060-6249
Online ISSN:
2060-968X

Clinical and Experimental Medical Journal
Language English
Size  
Year of
Foundation		 2007
Publication
Programme		 ceased
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per Year		  
Issues
per Year		  
Publisher Akadémiai Kiadó
Publisher's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245
Responsible
Publisher		 Chief Executive Officer, Akadémiai Kiadó
ISSN 2060-6249 (Print)
ISSN 2060-968X (Online)

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