Study of the Relationship between Religious Orientation (Internal and External) and Attitude towards Death in Nursing Students of Lorestan Medical Sciences University In 2017

Capacity, positive attitude, and proper nurses' function in dealing with death are greatly influenced by their religious beliefs. An important religious variable, the type of internal religious orientation (Implementing religious beliefs in all behaviors and practices) and the external (Using Religious Beliefs to Achieve Material Objectives). The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between religious orientation and nursing students' attitude towards death. The study had a cross-sectional correlational design, where 202 students from all nursing students were selected by random sampling in the academic year of 2017-2018. Data were collected via Allport Religious Orientation Questionnaire and the Standard Scale of Attitude toward Death (DAP-R) which were completed by participants after confirmation of validity and reliability and obtaining written consent from participants. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 18 software and independent t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient. Participants included 51.5% females, the average age was 21.7 years, 89.6% single, 95.5% undergraduates, 53% resident of the dormitory, 94.6% Shiite, and 50.5% had experience of seeing death. The average score of internal religious orientation was higher than that of the outside; and it was the same in both sexes. The difference between the mean score of internal orientation and the active acceptance of death was a positive correlation (P <0.001) and with avoidance of death, it had a significant negative inverse correlation (p= 0.01/0.17); Exterior orientation with fear of death and acceptance by escape had a significant positive correlation (P <0.001); the difference in mean score of both religious orientations was not significant in terms of gender, marital status, and religion (P>0.001). The difference between fear of death and avoidance of death and acceptance by escape based on gender, and in terms of admission or escape, having experience of seeing death, had a meaningful relationship (p=0.01). While there was no significant relationship between attitude toward death and family death experience (P>0.001). Findings show the type of religious orientation of nursing students and its relationship with people’s attitudes toward admission or escape from death; as the effective factor affecting the health of individuals and the quality of providing care for dying patients.