Religiosity, Spirituality, and Death Anxiety Among Filipino Older Adults: A Correlational Study

The concept of death anxiety is expected of older persons as they age and are nearing their end-of-life. This study examined the relationship between religiosity, spirituality, and death anxiety among Filipino older adults. A convenience sample of 125 Filipino older adults were recruited in the study. Data were collected using the Spirituality Scale, Revised Death Anxiety Scale, and Dimensions of Religiosity Scale. Results of the study revealed that spirituality (r=-0.168, p = 0.061) and religiosity (r=-0.044, p = 0.623) had an inverse relationship with death anxiety. However, even with the inverse relationship, spirituality and religiosity were not significantly correlated with death anxiety, although participants were well aware of the importance of these concepts on their lives. It is suggested that assessing spirituality and religiosity of this age group can inform nurses to engage in quality nursing practice, by affirming the vulnerability, and preserving the personhood of older persons as they near their end-of-life.