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Published on: July 13, 2014
Death expectancies in alcoholic and nonalcoholic persons
Journal of Clinical Psychology
|October 1, 1977
Summary
Alcoholics and non-alcoholics hold unrealistic expectations about death, with alcoholics showing greater discrepancies. The Do-It-Yourself Death Certificate (DIYDC) tool reveals insights into death perceptions and attitudes.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Medical Sociology
- Thanatology
Background:
- Understanding perceptions of death is crucial in clinical and research settings.
- Previous research indicates potential biases in how individuals anticipate their own mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate death expectations in alcoholic inpatients compared to a non-alcoholic control group.
- To assess the utility of the Do-It-Yourself Death Certificate (DIYDC) in exploring death-related beliefs.
Main Methods:
- The Do-It-Yourself Death Certificate (DIYDC) was administered to matched groups of alcoholic inpatients (N=39) and university employees (N=39).
- Participants were matched for age, sex, and race to control for demographic variables.
Main Results:
- Both groups exhibited unrealistic expectations regarding their deaths compared to actuarial data.
- Alcoholic individuals showed a greater tendency towards unrealistic longevity expectations and under-attributed mortality to alcohol consumption.
- Differences were noted in preferences for death speed, seasonal timing, and attitudes toward life-prolonging interventions.
Conclusions:
- The DIYDC is a valuable tool for death research, offering insights into individual mortality perceptions.
- Findings suggest potential clinical applications for the DIYDC with specific patient populations, pending ethical review.
- The study highlights significant differences in death expectations between alcoholic and non-alcoholic individuals.
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