죽음준비교육이 농촌교회 독거노인의 죽음불안, 영성 및 삶의 의미에 미치는 효과 = The Effects of Death Preparation Education on Death Anxiety, Spirituality, and Meaning of Life Among Elderly People Living Alone in Rural Churches

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study examines the effects of death preparation education on death anxiety, spirituality, and meaning in life among elderly individuals living alone and attending rural churches. Forty participants aged 65 and older in Province K were assigned to either an experimental group (n = 20) or a control group (n = 20). The experimental group participated in a structured 10-week program (once a week, 120 minutes per session). A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used to assess the program’s effectiveness, with measurements taken before, immediately after, and several weeks after the intervention. Results showed a significant reduction in death anxiety and significant increases in spirituality and meaning in life in the experimental group. These effects were sustained over time. Based on these findings, the study discusses practical and policy implications for using death preparation education to reduce death anxiety and enhance spiritual and existential well-being among elderly individuals living alone in rural church communities.