Author(s): Oya Sevcan ORAK Hacer GÖK UUR Funda BAKÖY Merve ÖZCAN Nurten SEYS
This study is conducted with the aim of determining whether the perception of God has an influence on fear of death. This descriptive research was conducted in May, 2014 at hospitals of Ordu Public Hospitals Association with 107 voluntary patients who are over 65 years old and are able to answer the questions. “Data Collection Form”, “Perception of God Scale” and “Fear of Death Scale”, which were all prepared in accordance with the literature, were used. The data was evaluated via SPSS 17,0 packet programme. The average of age of the elderly who took part in the research is 71.88±6.12. %51.4 of those are women, %42.1 are illiterate, %41.1 are retired, %78.5 are married, %82.2 have nuclear family, %45.8 live in a village, %49.5 have monthly income between 500-1000 TL. It is also found that %87.9 receive support for care, %69.8 are supported by their spouse, %54.2 have experienced a life-threatening illness, %68.2 have experienced a sudden death in his/her family and %98.1 feel relieved after they worship. It is found that the average point of fear of death scale is moderate with the point of 7.85±4.45 and the average point of perception of God scale is high with the point of 104.70±4. It is seen that there is statistically significant negative relation between the average points of perception of God scale and fear of death scale (p<0.001). There is a statistically significant difference between the average points of marital statusand fear of death (p<0.001). There is a statistically significant difference between the average points of receiving support and fear of death scale (p<0.01). There is a statistically significant difference between the average points of experiencing a life threatening disease and fear of death scale (p<0.001). There is a statistically significant difference between the average points of the hometown of the elderly and fear of death scale (p<0.001). There is a statistically significant difference between the average points of experiencing a sudden death of a family member and perception of God scale and fear of death scale (p<0.01). It is found that the more the elderly believe in God the less they are scared of death. Those who are married, receive support for care, have experienced a life threatening disease and live in villages are frightened of death more than the others.
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