The Predictive Ability of the Existential Vacuum and Death Anxiety in Psychological Hardiness Among Elderly

Omega (Westport). 2023 May 16:302228231176307. doi: 10.1177/00302228231176307. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

This research paper aimed to identify the level of psychological hardiness, the level of death anxiety, and the level of existential vacuum among the elderly, also the role of the predictive ability of death anxiety and existential vacuum in the psychological hardiness of the elderly at the governorates of Tafilyah and Ma'an in light of the Corona pandemic in Jordan. The descriptive-analytical approach was utilized. sample consists (500) elderly, that were selected by a simple random approach. Then the needed statistical measure was operated to achieve the required results. The results indicated a low level of psychological hardiness, a high level of death anxiety, and an existential vacuum in the elderly. The results show a suitable predictive ability for each of death anxiety and the existential vacuum in reducing psychological hardiness. The research paper recommended the necessity of rehabilitating the elderly in Jordan regarding the mental and psychological aspects.

Keywords: Challenge; Death Anxiety; Existential Vacuum; Psycholgical Rigidity; The Elderly.