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Remembering the initial realization of one's own mortality
Melissa Soenke1, Jeff Greenberg, Elizabeth S Focella
1a Department of Psychology , University of Arizona , Tucson , Arizona , USA.
Death Studies
|March 12, 2014
Summary
Many adults remember the moment they first realized they would die. This recollection is linked to lower self-esteem, belief in a soul, and increased dissociation.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Mortality Salience Research
Background:
- Extensive research explores the psychological effects of mortality salience.
- However, limited understanding exists regarding the recall of the initial realization of one's own death.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of recalling the moment of first realizing one's mortality.
- To identify psychological factors associated with such recollections.
Main Methods:
- Survey data collected from 1,552 undergraduate students.
- Community sample of 149 adults surveyed.
Main Results:
- Approximately one-third of participants reported remembering the moment of realizing their mortality.
- Recalling this moment correlated with lower self-esteem.
- Individuals recalling the moment were more likely to believe in a soul.
- A higher propensity for dissociation was observed in those who recalled the moment.
Conclusions:
- A significant portion of the population recalls the initial realization of mortality.
- Recollection of mortality realization is associated with specific psychological traits.
- Further investigation into the relationship between recalling mortality realization and psychological well-being is warranted.
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