Social support mediates relationship between death anxiety and stress in chronic illness

Background: Fear of death may become salient among individuals with chronic illness. This study examined the mediating role of perceived social support in the relationship between death anxiety and perceived stress in individuals with chronic illness. Methods: The study was conducted with 265 individuals diagnosed with chronic illness. The sample included participants with hypertension (20.7%), diabetes (19.6%), and cardiovascular diseases (16.2%), among conditions. Data were collected using the Templer Death Anxiety Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Results: A weak negative correlation was found between death anxiety and perceived social support (r = -0.156, p = 0.011), while a positive correlation was observed between death anxiety and perceived stress (r = 0.362, p < 0.001). The proportion of the total effect mediated by perceived social support was 32.7%. Death anxiety was associated with perceived stress (β = 0.347, p < 0.001). The of perceived social support as a mediator, the coefficient decreased (β = 0.234, p < 0.001), indicating partial mediation. Conclusion: Perceived social support partially mediated the relationship between death anxiety and perceived stress. Higher levels of death anxiety were associated with higher perceived stress, and this association was attenuated in the presence of perceived social support.