Exploring the Impact of Death Anxiety on Mental Health in College Students

Abstract

This study explores the impact of death anxiety on mental health among college students, examining various psychological factors such as emotional stability (ES), overall adjustment (OA), autonomy (AY), security-insecurity (SI), self-concept (SC), and intelligence. A sample of 120 college students, aged between 20 and 24 years, was selected using purposive sampling. Participants completed the Death Anxiety Scale (DAS) and the Mental Health Inventory (MHI). Results indicate that students with low death anxiety showed significantly better mental health outcomes in all assessed dimensions, including higher emotional stability, better overall adjustment, greater autonomy, a more secure self-concept, and higher intelligence, compared to those with high death anxiety. These findings suggest that reducing death anxiety can contribute to better mental health and psychological well-being among college students. The study underscores the importance of addressing death anxiety to enhance mental health and personal development in young adults.