Examining the Relationship between the Development of the Concept of Death and Overall Cognitive Development

Abstract

The present study was an attempt at replicating and extending previous findings regarding the development of the concept of death in children. Age, death concept development, general cognitive development, and background/experience variables were investigated with respect to their roles in death concept development. Thirty-two children between six and twelve years of age were given the Derry Death Concept Scale, the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, and selected subtests from the Wechter Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised. Correlations indicated that level of death concept development was related to age and verbal-conceptual mental development. Socioeconomic status and death-related experience did not significantly affect death concept level, nor did gender or separation experience. There were insufficient data to investigate separation effects. Findings from the present study were discussed with respect to their implications for future inquiry.

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