Attitudes Toward Aging and Death Anxiety: Aging and Death Class

Abstract

Attitudes toward aging and fear of death were examined and compared before and after completion of a course on aging or a course on death and dying. Dramatic decreases in fear of death were observed in both classes at post-test. Despite the reduction in fear, the death class maintained negative attitudes toward aging. The aging class, however, managed to maintain positive attitudes toward older adults, while at the same time reducing death anxiety. Contradictions with the existing literature are discussed, and implications are presented for course development and implementation.