Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

John Astin

Abstract

Humans value self-preservation, and therefore that which is perceived to threaten survival should cause stress. However, humans have also developed the understanding of their own mortality, meaning that they cognitively understand that death is inevitable. The conflict arising from these opposing constructs holds the potential to cause anxiety. Interestingly, this anxiety is not easily observed in most. Terror management theory posits that there are buffer systems in place that help to keep death anxiety at bay so that humans are able to continue to function in their daily lives. These buffers include becoming more stringent to one’s worldviews and less tolerant of the worldviews of others. These tendencies can become maladaptive since they complicate social interactions. Mindfulness, as measured by the Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale (PHLMS) is known to be correlated with stress and anxiety management. This research was designed to investigate the relationship between mindfulness and worldview defensiveness when mortality is made salient. Overall, the responses of 91 participants were compared. With the use of a multiple regression analysis, no significant correlation was found between mindfulness and worldview defensiveness in the participants. Self-esteem was found to be positively correlated with worldview defense. These results should be interpreted with caution, considering the fact that, at the outset of the study, individuals began participation possibly already primed with thoughts of death due to the COVID-19 pandemic happening worldwide at the time of the study. However, in spite of the limitations, this research may help achieve positive social change by adding to the understanding of the relationship between mindfulness and terror management.

Download

Share

 
COinS