Subjective nearness-to-Death, filial obligations, and depressive symptoms: the case of Jews and Arabs in Israel

Do Work-Related Factors Moderate the Association Between Subjective Nearness-to-Death and Psychological Distress?

The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with increased existential concerns, as well as with significant changes in the work force. The current study examined the availability of meaning in work and belonging to a work group as personal resources which may mitigate psychological distress associated with feeling close to death. Data were collected from 450 working Israelis, and results indicated that the connection between feeling close to death and distress was not significant for individuals reporting high levels of belonging and meaning. Implications are discussed from the perspective of Terror Management Theory.

Subjective Nearness-to-Death and COVID-19 Worries Among Ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel: The Moderating Role of Israeli Identity and Sense of Community

The Ultra-Orthodox community in Israel is characterized by close everyday contact and a strong sense of community. While the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in global uncertainty, fear, and fatalities, this group was particularly affected by the pandemic. Accordingly, the current study examines whether subjective nearness-to-death was associated with increased COVID-19 concerns, and whether Israeli identity and sense of community moderate this association. Data were gathered from 255 Israeli Ultra-Orthodox Jews, and results yielded a significant link between subjective nearness-to-death and COVID-19 worries, moderated by both moderators. Results are discussed in line with terror management theory, and theoretical/practical implications are suggested.

Black and white differences in subjective survival expectations: An evaluation of competing mechanisms

While black-white inequality in longevity is well documented in the United States, little is known about how individuals from different race/ethnic groups form their own personal survival expectations. Prior research has found that despite having higher mortality, blacks on average report higher survival expectations relative to whites. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, we examined racial differences in subjective survival expectations across birth cohorts and provide explanatory mechanisms. We find that blacks-men in particular-were overly optimistic about their survival, but this effect had waned with successive birth cohorts. Furthermore, whereas subjective survival expectations and actual survival were correlated among white men, among black men the most optimistic fared worst. Blacks and whites differed not only in their response patterns, but also in how they weighed the different factors (socioeconomic, psychosocial, health, parental longevity) associated with expected survival. Importantly, those who estimated their survival probability with certainty had positive psychosocial characteristics, irrespective of race, but only whites had better health. These findings underscore the importance of group differences in subjective survival expectations as another potential form of inequality. Racial differences in how long individual expect to live may account for differences in social and economic behavior and outcomes, irrespective of actual longevity differentials.

Subjective Nearness-To-Death and Retirement Anxiety Among Older Workers: A Three-Way Interaction With Work Group Identification

Retirement anxiety represents a major challenge for older workers who hold negative expectations and concerns regarding the consequences of their future retirement. Although prior studies suggest that retirement is an age-related transition that may serve as a reminder that life is nearing its end, little is known about how subjective nearness-to-death is related to retirement anxiety, and the role of work group identification as a boundary condition. The current study draws on terror management and social identity theories to hypothesize and investigate these relationships. A three-way interaction model was tested on a sample of 327 Israeli older workers. We found a positive association between subjective nearness-to-death and retirement anxiety. Further, we demonstrated that the positive relationship between subjective nearness-to-death and retirement anxiety was more prominent for older workers whose work group self-definition and self-investment were both high or were both low. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Aging anxiety, loneliness, and depressive symptoms among middle-aged adults: The moderating role of ageism

BACKGROUND

Aging anxiety, or fears and concerns regarding one's future aging, have been shown to take a toll on older adults' health and well-being, including loneliness and depressive symptoms. However, little is known about the possible consequences that aging anxiety holds for middle-aged adults. The current study examines the relationship between aging anxiety and both loneliness and depressive symptoms in a sample of middle-aged adults. It further examines whether ageism, or negative attitudes toward older adults, which have been associated with increased aging anxiety, loneliness, and depressive symptoms, moderates the connections between these variables. It was hypothesized that for those with higher ageist perceptions, the psychological toll of aging anxiety will be greater.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 1038 participants (age range = 50-67, M=58.16, SD=5.22) was collected using online questionnaires assessing aging anxiety, ageism, loneliness, and depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

Aging anxiety was positively associated with loneliness and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, ageism moderated these relationships, such that they were stronger for those with a higher level of ageism.

LIMITATIONS

A cross-sectional design; an internet survey consisting of a non-clinical, healthy cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

The results point to the clinical importance of addressing aging anxiety and negative attitudes in middle-aged adults with regard to loneliness and depression. The study provides clinicians with additional information regarding the formation and psychological consequences of aging anxiety with regard to how individuals perceive older adults and the aging process.