A Causal Model of Death Anxiety in the Elderly: Emotion Regulation,Meaning in Life, and Resilience

Objective: This study aimed to design a causal model of death anxiety based on cognitive emotion regulation strategies and meaning in life, with resilience serving as a mediator among the elderly population of Tehran Province, Iran. Methods: This study employed a descriptive-correlational design within the framework of structural equation modeling (SEM). A sample of 380 older adults was selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Templer death anxiety scale (DAS) (1970), Connor–Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC) (2003), cognitive emotion regulation questionnaire (CERQ) developed by Garnefski and Kraaij (2006), and meaning in life questionnaire (MLQ) by Steger et al. (2006). Analyses were performed using SPSS software, version 22.0 and AMOS software, version 24.0. Results: The results revealed an acceptable model fit with the data (χ²/df=2.91, comparative fit index [CFI]=0.948, goodness of fit index [GFI]=0.901, adjusted goodness-of-fit index [AGFI]=0.870, root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA]=0.063). Direct path coefficients indicated significant negative relationships between cognitive emotion regulation (β=–0.332, P<0.01), meaning in life (β=–0.279, P<0.01), and resilience (β=–0.413, P<0.01) and death anxiety. Moreover, the indirect effects of resilience were also statistically significant. Conclusion: These findings highlight the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between psychological variables and death anxiety. Overall, the results underscore the importance of resilience and the meaning of life in mitigating death anxiety among older adults.