A Course in Death Education as a Factor In Influencing Attitudes Toward Death of Juniors Enrolled in a Parochial High School.

Overview & Synopsis

Examined were attitudes toward death and death education, as well as the effects of death education, among 144 Catholic students from two high schools. An Attitudes Toward Death Scale was utilized in examining several hypotheses relating to death and death education. Significant results revealed that: (1) Catholic high school students had a favorable attitude toward death; (2) attitudes toward death were more favorable in students who had taken a course in death education than in those who had not had similar coursework; and (3) students were in favor of death education. It was recommended that the need for death education should be examined in high schools and that death should be treated by teachers in regular courses along with the development of multidisciplinary courses in death education. Future research and emphasis upon death education in additional settings is also suggested. (Author/KA)