Graduation Term

Spring 2026

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Department of Psychology: Clinical-Counseling Psychology

Committee Chair

Margaret Nauta

Committee Member

Suejung Han

Abstract

Death anxiety is a transdiagnostic construct and a universally experienced existential fear that has been linked to a wide range of psychological difficulties, including anxiety, depression, and impaired well-being. Despite its widespread impact, empirical research on targeted interventions for death anxiety remains limited. The present study aimed to address this gap by developing and evaluating an online, single-session, theory-based (i.e., Terror Management Theory, positive psychology) intervention focused on affirming personal strengths in the context of one's work. The intervention was designed to target work-strengths (i.e., leadership, adaptability)—an intersection of positive and vocational psychology.

College students from a large Midwestern university participated in study that employed a pre-post, between-subjects design, with a two-week follow-up to assess sustained effects of the intervention. Among people with initially high death anxiety, the intervention had an immediate effect in which it significantly reduced death anxiety, suggesting its potential as a brief, quick, and accessible strategy for addressing existential concerns. In addition, the study explored the roles of self-esteem and meaning in life as possible mediators of the intervention's effects. Although neither variable was found to significantly mediate the relationship between the intervention and reduced death anxiety, the findings offer valuable insights into the psychological mechanisms that may underlie existential interventions.

Overall, this study contributes to the growing literature on death anxiety by offering a promising brief and online intervention and raising important considerations for the role of the Terror Management Theory, positive psychology, self-affirmation and reflection in alleviating a core existential fear that of death. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.

Access Type

Thesis-Open Access

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