Modeling Fear of Death Based on Attachment Styles with the Mediating Role of Perceived Social Support among Older Adults
Keywords:
fear of death, attachment styles, perceived social support, older adults, structural equation modelingAbstract
Fear of death is one of the important psychological concerns in late life and may be influenced by relational and social factors. This study aimed to model fear of death based on attachment styles with the mediating role of perceived social support among older adults. This applied correlational study was conducted using a structural equation modeling approach. The statistical population consisted of older adults aged 65 years and above living in Tehran, Iran. A total of 411 older adults were selected through multistage cluster sampling. Data were collected using the fear of death subscale of the Death Attitude Profile–Revised, the Adult Attachment Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and a demographic information form. Data were analyzed using SPSS and SmartPLS. Reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, direct effects, indirect effects, and model fit indices were examined. The results showed that the proposed model had acceptable fit, SRMR = .069, NFI = .765, and GOF = .614. The model explained 62.7% of the variance in fear of death and 70.3% of the variance in perceived social support. Perceived social support had a significant negative effect on fear of death, β = -.424, t = 8.171, p < .001. Secure attachment significantly predicted perceived social support, β = .155, t = 3.575, p < .001, and avoidant attachment also significantly predicted perceived social support, β = .086, t = 2.252, p = .025. Ambivalent attachment had a significant direct effect on fear of death, β = -.078, t = 2.228, p = .026. The indirect effects of secure attachment, β = -.066, t = 3.276, p < .01, and avoidant attachment, β = -.036, t = 2.166, p < .05, on fear of death through perceived social support were significant. However, the indirect effect of ambivalent attachment through perceived social support was not significant, β = .008, t = 0.618, p > .05. Perceived social support plays an important mediating role in the relationship between attachment styles and fear of death among older adults. Higher perceived social support was associated with lower fear of death. The findings suggest that interventions aimed at strengthening social support and improving relational security may help reduce death-related fear in older adults.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Mohammadjavad Ezzatinia (Author); Lida Leilabadi; Marzieh Poursalehy (Author)
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