The Mediating Role of Self-Compassion in Explaining the Causal Relationship Between Death Anxiety and Quality of Life in Middle-Aged Adults

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the mediating role of self-compassion in explaining the causal relationship between death anxiety and quality of life in middle-aged adults. The research method was descriptive-correlational, and the statistical population included employees aged 50 to 65 years from Islamic Azad Universities in Tehran during 2022–2023. A total of 308 individuals were selected through a non-random convenience sampling method. The research instruments included the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (1989), the Death Anxiety Scale developed by Templer (1970), and the Self-Compassion Scale by Raes et al. (2011). Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results indicated that quality of life directly affects death anxiety, and death anxiety can be explained through quality of life. Additionally, self-compassion plays a significant role in explaining and predicting the level of death anxiety. Quality of life, in addition to its direct effect on death anxiety, also has an indirect effect through the mediating role of self-compassion. Based on the findings of this study, there is a significant direct and indirect relationship between quality of life and death anxiety, mediated by self-compassion. It is recommended that the components of quality of life and self-compassion be considered in the assessment and explanation of death anxiety among the elderly and various groups in society. By enhancing these two variables, death anxiety can be mitigated.