Analysis of the Concept of Death Anxiety in Nursing Students: A Qualitative Study

Anxiety of death is a real anxiety and one of the most important components in mental health, but despite its special importance in nursing, many nursing education experts have not yet established an equal understanding in the mind and no studies have been conducted to define and explain this. The concept and analysis of the concept of death anxiety have not been studied in the field of education.

 This qualitative study was conducted by concept analysis using three stages of hybrid model (theoretical, fieldwork and final analysis). In the theoretical stage, the concept of death anxiety at valid bases was investigated from 1990 to 2022. The articles were evaluated and analyzed to provide a definition of the concept of death. During the fieldwork, 12 nursing students were interviewed and content analysis was used to analyze the data. At the final stage, a general analysis was performed.

According to the results of the final analysis of the concept of death anxiety, it was found that this concept has different dimensions and how socialization, social, evolutionary, cognitive, empirical, emotional and motivational processes are effective in its formation.

The results of this study can help clarify the concept of death anxiety in nursing students. This in itself can lead to better adaptation of students to the category of death and death anxiety, better provision of nursing services to patients, improving patient satisfaction and the development of the nursing profession. Also, by identifying the concept of death anxiety and its dimensions in nursing students, nursing managers and educators will be able to design and implement their managerial and educational activities based on an insight based on scientific findings, so that the necessary conditions for better adaptation of students. Provide nursing with the category of death.