Factors associated with death anxiety among nurses working in the earthquake region: a cross-sectional correlational...

BACKGROUND: This is a descriptive-correlational study and aims to determine the factors associated with death anxiety of nurses in earthquake zones. METHODS: 404 nurses working in 11 earthquake-affected provinces in Türkiye. Data were collected using “Questionnaire on Sociodemographic Characteristics and Earthquake Experience”, Spielberger State and Trait Anxiety Scale (STAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Spiritual Well-being Scale (SWBS), Thorson Powel’s Revised Death Anxiety Scale (RDAS). RESULTS: Respectively, the mean scale score of RDAS (62.13 ± 21.030) was above the intermediate level, BDI (17.74 ± 11.328) at moderate level, STAI-S (48.90 ± 10.305) and STAI-T (49.70 ± 8.664) at moderate level. It can be said that SWBS (116.26 ± 13.318) was at a high level. A relationship was found statistically significantly between RDAS and BDI, STAI-S, STAI-T, SWBS sub-dimensions and Transcendence sub-dimension. Model 8, which includes all the independent variables analyzed (gender, having religious belief, STAI-S, STAI-T, Harmony with Nature, and Anomie), explained 33.2% of the variance in death anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, developing intervention a program for nurses to cope with fear of death and anxiety was recommended, especially in crisis periods such as earthquakes.