Psychological Interventions for Death Anxiety Among Adults: An Umbrella Review

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of psychological interventions in alleviating death anxiety. An umbrella review (a review of systematic reviews) was undertaken in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and PRISMA guidelines. Eligibility criteria were systematic reviews on psychological interventions to reduce death anxiety among adults. Systematic reviews that contained an exhaustive search strategy, use of appropriate appraisal tools, utilized quantitative methods, and were published in English were considered. Two systematic reviews were deemed eligible to be included in this umbrella review comprising 24 individual studies of psychological interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy, meaning-oriented therapies and death education interventions. Participants included adults with and without terminal illness. Findings indicate low quality evidence supporting the effectiveness of psychological interventions for death anxiety. Recommendations highlight the need for future research following rigorous methodology and use of more recently developed psychological interventions.