Near-Death Experiences and the Psychology of Death

2014 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha A. Tassell-Matamua
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Fear Of Death ◽  
Mechanistic Models ◽  
Psychological Processes ◽  
Psychological Sequelae ◽  
Near Death Experiences

Little is known about the psychological phenomenology of death. Reported across known history and in all cultures by those who have died or been close to death, NDEs challenge objective-mechanistic models by suggesting the phenomenology of death may involve a variety of complex psychological processes. This article discusses three notable characteristics of the NDE—loss of the fear of death, psychological sequelae, and complex conscious abilities—supporting this claim. The implications these have for advancing societal understandings of death are discussed, and their pragmatic application for professions where death is frequently encountered, such as palliative care, is addressed.

Near-Death Experiences and Antisuicidal Attitudes

1993 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce Greyson
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Purpose In Life ◽  
Fear Of Death ◽  
Paradoxical Effect ◽  
Endorsement Rate ◽  
Sense Of Purpose ◽  
Item Questionnaire ◽  
Data Support ◽  
Near Death Experiences

Near-death experiences (NDEs) have been reported to decrease fear of death and foster a “romanticized” view of death, yet also promote antisuicidal attitudes. This study was an empirical investigation of psychodynamic hypotheses suggested to explain that paradoxical effect, using a thirty-six-item questionnaire constructed for this purpose. One hundred-fifty near-death experiencers (NDErs) and forty-three individuals who had come close to death but not had NDEs (nonNDErs) rated as true or false twelve antisuicidal attitudes that have been hypothesized to result from NDEs. NDErs endorsed significantly more of the antisuicidal statements than nonNDErs, and among NDErs, number of statements endorsed was positively associated with depth of experience. Those antisuicidal attitudes that showed the greatest difference in endorsement rate between NDErs and nonNDErs related to transpersonal or transcendental beliefs. These data support prior naturalistic observations that NDEs foster antisuicidal attitudes by promoting a sense of purpose in life.

The Psychological Correlates of Decreased Death Anxiety After a Near-Death Experience: The Role of Self-Esteem, Mindfulness, and Death Representations

2019 ◽  
pp. 002216781989210
Author(s):  
Simone Bianco ◽  
Ines Testoni ◽  
Arianna Palmieri ◽  
Sheldon Solomon ◽  
Joshua Hart
Keyword(s):  
Death Anxiety ◽  
Terror Management Theory ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Fear Of Death ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Psychological Correlates ◽  
Death Experience ◽  
Near Death Experiences ◽  
Future Theory

Near-death experiences (NDE) are intense events that can have profound psychological consequences. Although decreased fear of death after an NDE is a well-documented phenomenon, it is unclear what psychological factors are associated with reduced death anxiety. In this study, grounded in terror management theory, we compared 102 people who had an NDE with 104 individuals who did not. Participants completed measures of death anxiety, self-esteem, mindfulness, and death representation. Results indicated that people who had an NDE had lower fear of death, higher self-esteem, greater mindfulness, and viewed death more as a transition rather than as absolute annihilation. Subsequent analyses found that NDE had a direct effect on death anxiety, and that the effect of NDE on death anxiety was also mediated by indirect effects on self-esteem and death representation. Implications of these findings are considered, limitations of the present study are acknowledged, and suggestions for future theory and research are proffered.

Attitudes towards the dying and death anxiety in acute care nurses – can a workshop make any difference? A mixed-methods evaluation

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-169
Author(s):  
Chin Yee Cheong ◽  
Ngoc Huong Lien Ha ◽  
Laurence Lean Chin Tan ◽  
James A. Low
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Death Anxiety ◽  
Core Curriculum ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Positive Change ◽  
Fear Of Death ◽  
Nurse Training ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Eol Care

AbstractObjectivesIn Singapore, the core curriculum for end-of-life (EOL) care used in nurse training courses is limited. Only 45% of nurses indicated familiarity with inpatient palliative care. Nurses who lack skills in palliative care may develop anxiety and negative attitudes towards caring for dying patients. We explored whether a two-day, multimodal EOL care workshop could reduce nurses’ death anxiety and improve nurses’ skills, knowledge, and attitude towards palliative care.MethodsForty-five nurses participated in the workshop. At baseline before and at six weeks after, a 20-item knowledge-based questionnaire and the Death Attitude Profile-Revised (DAP-R) were administered. Six weeks post-workshop, in-depth interviews were conducted. We employed descriptive statistics, student paired samples t-test and inductive thematic analysis.ResultsThere was a significant improvement in nurses’ knowledge score (p < 0.01) and reduction in their death anxiety score (p < 0.01). Fear of Death (p = 0.025) and Death Avoidance (p = 0.047) sub-scores decreased significantly. However, the remaining domains such as Neutral Acceptance, Approach Acceptance, and Escape Acceptance did not show any significant difference, although Escape Acceptance showed a trend towards a reduced score (p = 0.063). After the workshop, more nurses adopted the Neutral Acceptance stance (76.2%), and none of them fell into the Fear of Death subdomain. Most nurses interviewed reported a positive change in their knowledge, attitudes, and practice even after the workshop.Significance of resultsThe multimodal palliative care workshop was useful in improving nurses’ EOL knowledge and reducing their anxiety towards death. The positive change in nurses’ attitudes and practices were noted to be sustained for at least six weeks after the intervention.

scholarly journals Ευθανασία: Ηθικά διλήμματα πολιτισμικής αυτοσυνειδησίας

Bioethica ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Κωνσταντίνος Κορναράκης (Konstantinos Kornarakis)
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Personal Experience ◽  
Fear Of Death ◽  
Patient’S Autonomy ◽  
Theological Thinking

This paper focuses on the anthropological background of Euthanasia’s cultural profile, claiming that a cultural reception of Euthanasia should previously deal with anthropological questions such as patient’s autonomy and its relation to existential freedom, the fear of death, the meaning of personal experience of pain in shaping one’s own freedom and the cardinal importance of community’s role in patient’s palliative care. The theological thinking can contribute in this interscientific dialogue on the end of life, re-opening the question of the ontology of person and consequently the question of eschatology.

Psychological processes of suffering of palliative care patients in Malaysia: a thematic analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e19-e19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seng Beng Tan ◽  
Ee Chin Loh ◽  
Chee Loong Lam ◽  
Chong Guan Ng ◽  
Ee Jane Lim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Cognitive Appraisals ◽  
Medical Centre ◽  
Psychological Processes ◽  
Kuala Lumpur ◽  
Academic Medical Centre ◽  
The Past ◽  
Academic Medical ◽  
Semistructured Interviews

Although suffering in palliative care has received increasing attention over the past decade, the psychological processes that underpin suffering remain relatively unexplored.ObjectiveTo understand the psychological processes involved in the experiencing of suffering at the end phase of life.MethodsSemistructured interviews were conducted with 20 palliative care inpatients from an academic medical centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The transcripts were thematically analysed with NVIVO9.Results5 themes of psychological processes of suffering were generated: (1) perceptions, (2) cognitive appraisals, (3) hope and the struggles with acceptance, (4) emotions and (5) clinging. A model of suffering formation was constructed.ConclusionThe findings may inform the development of mechanism-based interventions in the palliation of suffering.

scholarly journals End-of-life dreams and visions as perceived by palliative care professionals: A qualitative study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Stina Nyblom ◽  
Ulla Molander ◽  
Inger Benkel
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Nordic Country ◽  
Fear Of Death ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Inner Experiences ◽  
Dreams And Visions ◽  
Sound Mind ◽  
Group Interviews

Abstract Objective End-of-life dreams and visions (ELDVs) have been suggested to be prevalent psychic phenomena near death that can provide meaning and comfort for the dying. There is a lack of studies from the secular Nordic countries. The aim of this study was to determine whether palliative care professionals in a Nordic country have experience of patients expressing dreams, visions, and/or inner experiences and, if so, how they are perceived. Method Focus-group interviews with 18 professionals in end-of-life palliative care were subjected to qualitative content analysis. Results Most (15/18) professionals had experience of patients with ELDVs. A dominant content was deceased loved ones. According to most professionals, many patients perceived their ELDVs as real and could report them with clarity. The experience could result in peacefulness for patients, as well as loved ones, and reduce fear of death. Some professionals themselves perceived ELDVs to be real and a normal part of dying while a few found them scary. Most professionals, however, found ELDVs hard to grasp. Many tried to explain the phenomena as the result of medical circumstances and confusion, although reporting that they considered most patients to be normal and of sound mind in connection with their reports on ELDVs. Most patients wanted to talk about their ELDVs, but some could be reluctant due to fear of being considered crazy. The professionals were open-minded and reported having no problem talking about it with the patients and tried to normalize the experience thereby calming the patient and loved ones. Significance of results The results strengthen the suggestion that ELDVs are common phenomena near death, worldwide. Although most professionals in palliative care recognized ELDVs as beneficial to patients, many found the phenomena hard to grasp and sometimes difficult to distinguish from confusion, indicating a continuous need for exploration and education.

Cross-Cultural Issues

2014 ◽  
pp. 127-142
Author(s):  
William S. Breitbart
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Death And Dying ◽  
Culturally Sensitive ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Fear Of Death ◽  
Cultural Issues ◽  
Culturally Specific ◽  
Methods Of Evaluation ◽  
Terminal Illnesses ◽  
Fear Of Cancer

Across cultures, the universal fear of cancer and other terminal illnesses are caused by the fear of death as well as images associated with debility and pain. Yet individual societies place different emphases on issues surrounding death and dying. This chapter provides an overview of the culturally specific issues surrounding death and dying, methods of evaluation of cultural issues, and guidance on delivering culturally sensitive palliative care around the globe.

The Fear of Dying: A Case Study Using the SPIKES Protocol

2018 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 333-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney Carver
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Spiritual Care ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Bad News ◽  
Fear Of Death ◽  
The Future ◽  
Delivering Bad News

The SPIKES protocol will be discussed in the context of working with a patient who was referred to palliative care in the hospital setting. Palliative care is complex because it is not only medical care but also emotional and spiritual care. Those working in palliative care often explain a diagnosis to the patient, both what the diagnosis is and what it likely means for the future. The SPIKES protocol, a conversational tool for delivering bad news, has applications for social workers. This case study will tell the story of a patient whose fear of death almost cost him the ability to live fully at the end of his life and how the SPIKES tool was implemented in helping this patient understand and come to terms with his diagnosis.

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