Factors influencing contemporary Japanese attitudes regarding life and death

Abstract

A fundamental study of contemporary Japanese attitudes regarding life and death was conducted. Data from 216 adults responding to the Japanese version of DAP-R (Wong et al., 1994) were analyzed by of chronological, and biosocial factors such as Age, Sex, Health, and Purpose in Life. DAP-R consists of four sub-scales: Fear of Death, Death Avoidance, Escape Acceptance, and Approach Acceptance. Results indicated significant relationships between DAP-R subscale scores for attitudes regarding death and as a factor of the Age factor. Elderly adults (N=70) showed less Fear of Death and more Death Avoidance, Escape Acceptance, and Approach Acceptance than both middle-aged adults (N=70) and young adults (N=76). Interestingly, elderly adults had a contradictory attitude regarding death, i.e., a strong attitude of Death Avoidance and Escape Acceptance, while simultaneously showing an attitude of Approach Acceptance. It is expected that these results will contribute to the future development of thanatological research.View full abstract