Mortality Salience Effects of Critical Incidents - A Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda

Critical incidents (CI) trigger acute stress reactions and psychological trauma because of direct or vicarious exposure. These events include natural disasters, wars, terrorist attacks and pandemics, and usually result in deaths and serious physical injuries. Their life-threatening nature makes them reasonable candidates to induce mortality salience (MS). The current review aims to consolidate Terror Management Theory (TMT) research using CIs as MS. A systematic literature review was conducted. Overall, 74 articles with 113 studies were included. Through this review, strong support for MS effects of CI has been found. Consistent with TMT, CIs tend to trigger worldview defence, self-esteem enhancement and relationship seeking. CIs have also been found to impact negatively on individual well-being and organisational health. Recommendations specific to crisis interventions and well-being will be discussed. The review concludes with potential future research directions to strengthen and expand empirical knowledge in CI salience.

Concern and death anxiety during an ongoing terror wave: The moderating role of direct vs. indirect exposure

The current study examined whether emotional concern over one's security situation is connected with death anxiety during an ongoing terror wave, and whether type of exposure (media exposure vs. contact with witnesses) moderates this connection. A total of 345 individuals, aged 18-70, were sampled during an ongoing wave of terror in Israel and filled out scales measuring death anxiety, concern over security situation, and type of exposure. Results indicated that increased concern was connected with enhanced death anxiety. Moreover, this connection was more pronounced among individuals exposed to the events through the media, in comparison with individuals who had first-hand contact with witnesses.

Existential Anxiety Among Adolescents Exposed to Disaster: Linkages Among Level of Exposure, PTSD, and Depression Symptoms

Exposure to natural disasters can be highly traumatic and have a detrimental effect on youth mental health by threatening the satisfaction of basic human needs and goals. Recent research in adults suggests that exposure to disasters may exacerbate existential anxiety about the meaning of life. The current study expands this investigation to adolescents, who may be particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of disaster. Data came from 325 adolescents (mean age = 15.05 years, SD = 1.05) residing in the Greater New Orleans area who were exposed to Hurricanes Katrina and/or Gustav. Existential anxiety concerns were highly prevalent in the sample and were associated with elevated levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (R² = .09) and depression symptoms (R² = .13). Consistent with theoretical predictions, disaster exposure levels moderated the association between facets of existential anxiety and mental health symptoms. Findings highlight the salience of existential concerns in disaster exposed youth, and provide evidence that exposure to traumatic stress may strengthen their association with mental health problems.

Identity and Death: An Empirical Investigation

Marcia's (1966) identity status approach was employed in the examination of an existential domain of identity—conceptualized as a component of ideological identity, and operationalized as a multidimensional set of death orientations. Paralleling the identity status constructs of exploration and commitment, the underlying constructs of this domain were proposed to be death contemplation and acceptance. A sample of 149 university undergraduates under the age of 30 completed a questionnaire comprising scales representing the proposed dimensions of contemplation and acceptance, as well as a measure of identity status. A series of multiple regressions indicated that interpersonal achievement status was associated with neutral acceptance (the acceptance of death as a natural part of life); ideological moratorium status was associated with death contemplation, fear, and avoidance; ideological foreclosure status was associated with both approach acceptance (the acceptance of death as a gateway to an afterlife) and escape acceptance (the acceptance of death as a release from pain); ideological diffusion status was negatively associated with both escape and approach acceptance and a view of death as purposeful. These results suggest that existential contemplation occurs but is not resolved in the context of ideological identity development during adolescence and young adulthood. Death acceptance in this population seems more related to either a sense of self that extends to others (an achieved interpersonal identity) or the adoption of a traditional religious belief in an afterlife.

Memory and mourning: an exhibit history

Mounted by the Strong Museum in Rochester, New York, in 1993, and traveling nationally thereafter, the exhibit Memory and Mourning provided historical and contemporary perspectives to help museum guests explore their own reactions to loss and grief. In the process the exhibit's development team encountered a range of philosophical, historical, psychological, and therapeutic issues that have surrounded bereavement in America. Visitor comments showed how popular audiences recapitulated and anticipated the professional discourse.