Existential Isolation and Death Thought Accessibility

Publication date: Available online 19 July 2019Source: Journal of Research in PersonalityAuthor(s): Peter J. Helm, Uri Lifshin, Ronald Chau, Jeff GreenbergAbstractThree studies examined how existential isolation (EI) relates to death-thought accessibility (DTA). Drawing upon the state-trait EI model and terror management theory, we posited EI would be associated with greater DTA. Studies 1a and 1b found trait EI to be correlated with baseline DTA. Evidence for mediation by ingroup identity was mixed. Studies 2 and 3 (a preregistered replication of Study 2) assessed whether priming EI would increase DTA relative to control primes. Study 2 found support for our hypothesis, but Study 3 failed to replicate, leaving open the question about whether EI plays a causal role in higher DTA. We discuss the potential value of EI for understanding how people manage concerns about death and relate to ingroups.

Source: Journal of Research in Personality - July 20, 2019 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research