Objectives: This study aimed to investigate both the direct and indirect effects of various factors on the acceptance of death.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 800 older Buddhist persons in Thailand, who were recruited through a multistage sampling method. Data were collected using six questionnaires and analyzed through path analysis using the MPlus program.
Results: Death anxiety was the main factor influencing death acceptance, with death anxiety exerting a negative direct effect on death acceptance. Buddhist beliefs about death demonstrated both a positive direct effect on death acceptance and a positive indirect effect on death acceptance through Buddhist practices. Furthermore, Buddhist practices exhibited a positive direct effect on death acceptance, while social support also showed a positive direct effect on death acceptance.
Conclusions: This study highlights the significant direct and indirect effects on death acceptance among older Thai Buddhists.
Clinical implications: Buddhist-aligned interventions may be more effective and readily embraced by Thai older persons. For those who are receptive, nurses can foster death acceptance by developing interventions that reduce death anxiety and promote Buddhist beliefs about death, Buddhist practices, and social support.
Keywords: Buddhist beliefs about death; Buddhist practice; death acceptance; death anxiety; older persons.