Moderating effects of meaning in life on the relationship between depression and self-competence in death work among helping professionals
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 6, 2026

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats
Published on: February 22, 2018
Wallace Chi Ho Chan1, Agnes Fong Tin2, Adrienne Lei Yung Wong2
1Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
Abstract:
This study aims to examine the relationships of self-competence in death work (SC-DW) with meaning in life (MIL) and depression, particularly the moderating effects of MIL on the relationship between depression and SC-DW. A total of 151 helping professionals completed a questionnaire. SC-DW showed negative and positive significant associations with depression and MIL, respectively. MIL was the moderator between depression and SC-DW. At the same depression level, helping professionals who experienced a higher level of MIL indicated a higher level of SC-DW, and particularly a higher level of emotional competence in death work. Implications on supporting helping professionals are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adulthood
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early...
Kubler Ross's Stages of Dying
In denial, individuals reject the reality of their condition, often thinking, "This isn't true; I feel fine," as a way to protect themselves from...
Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model
Self-Help Support Groups
Accessibility and Cost-Effectiveness
One of the primary strengths of self-help...
Self-Discrepancy Theory

