human development: a cultural approach jeffrey jensen arnett human development a cultural approach...

Human Development: A Cultural ApproachJeffrey Jensen Arnett

Human DevelopmentHuman DevelopmentA Cultural ApproachA Cultural Approach

Chapter

Death and Afterlife Beliefs

13


Physical Aspects of Death


Figure 13.1 Causes of Death in Massachusetts from the 1840s–Present As infectious diseases were effectively prevented and treated, deaths due to heart disease and cancer increased. Source:

Massachusetts Department of Public Health


The Demography of DeathMajor Cause of Death Today

• One major cause of death is cardiovascular disease

• Arteries that supply blood become narrow due to plaque build up Symptom:

- Angina Pectoris—severe pain in chest, neck and left arm

- Can have a heart attack—weakness, dizziness, confusion, and shortness of breath


The Demography of DeathCardiovascular Disease

• Men have higher rates of heart disease than women

• African American rates high, Latino and Asian American lowest

• Highest rates in eastern European countries and low in southern Europe

• Risk factors include: Diet, cigarette smoking, and lack of exercise (obesity)


The Demography of DeathCancer

• Occurs in later adulthood because cell replication becomes less efficient as people age

• Symptoms vary but can include weight loss, fatigue, and weakness


The Demography of DeathCancer

• Cancer is more common among men than women

• Risk factors include: smoking, diet, excessive alcohol use, and chronic exposure to sunlight

• Strongly genetic and consequence of aging


Beyond Death: The Sources of Aging

• Aging impacted by cellular clock• Cell replication is limited—Hayflick limit• Limitation caused by the telomere

Each replication shortens the telomere which impacts life expectancy

• Regulating telomeres is a way to extend Hayflick limit

• Preventing free radicals through antioxidants may also impact aging


Beyond DeathCan Aging Be Reversed?

• Growth hormone—can increase muscle mass and bone density

• DHEA-hormone involved in muscle growth No clear benefit as yet

• Reduced caloric intake has had some positive results


Sociocultural and Emotional Responses to Death


The Sociocultural Contexts of DeathWhere We Die

• In developing countries most die at home

• In developed countries only 20% die at home

• Many prefer to die in comfort but in developed countries that is a challenge due to causes of illness


The Sociocultural Contexts of DeathWhere We Die

• Hospitals can provide care but more impersonal

• Increased chance of loneliness, fear, and untreated pain


The Sociocultural Contexts of DeathOptions Regarding the End of Life

• Hospice care—Addresses needs of individuals with 6 months or less to live Palliative care—relieve pain and suffering Takes place at home Provides medical, psychological, and

spiritual counseling Housekeeping support



• Euthanasia means “good death” Passive euthanasia—ceasing medical

interventions Active euthanasia—ceasing treatment and

taking steps to encourage death Can be difficult to determine the distinction

between the two Passive is legal in most countries while

active is not



• Advanced directive gives written instructions concerning end of life care Can include a living will specifying

treatments to be done or not done Can include a Do Not Resuscitate provision

and health care proxy May not always be followed


Bereavement and GriefEmotional Arc of Grief

• Bereavement is experiencing the loss of a loved one

• Grief is the intense psychological response that accompanies bereavement

• Grief responses change over time


Bereavement and GriefVariations in Grieving

• Parents’ death can place children at risk for depression

• A child’s death can increase divorce risk• A spouse’s death can increase risk of

mortality of surviving spouse• Sudden deaths evoke more intense

grief than anticipated deaths


Bereavement and GriefConfronting Death

• Elizabeth Kubler-Ross proposed five stages in response to death Denial—refuse to believe diagnoses Anger—it is not fair Bargaining—towards God or other spiritual

entity Depression—death is near Acceptance—peace


Bereavement and GriefConfronting Death

• Limitations of theory include: Not all go through five stages Missing fear as a response Lack of cultural context


Beliefs About Death and the Afterlife


Beliefs About Death Throughout the Life SpanBeliefs in Childhood and Adolescence

• Young children understand death is permanent but not inevitable Understanding may be limited due to

adults euphemisms referring to death

• Adolescents understand death and beliefs are more abstract


Beliefs About Death Throughout the Life SpanBeliefs in Adulthood

• Death anxiety is highest in emerging adulthood Due to plans and goals still to accomplish

• Death anxiety is lowest in late adulthood Due to life review and expectation of death



• Anxiety is lowest in those with strongest religious faith

• Anxiety is highest in people who are unsure of religious belief



• Beliefs about death also change throughout adulthood

• Young adulthood focuses on fear for one’s child

• Middle adulthood may tend to reexamine life

• Late adulthood are familiar with death and may talk about it


Afterlife Beliefs and Mourning RitualsAfterlife Beliefs in the Major Religions

• Death not the end in most religions• Morality in life is reflected in the

afterlife Reincarnation status or Heaven/Hell

• Differences in ritual and funeral observances


Afterlife Beliefs and Mourning RitualsIndividual Beliefs About Life After Death


Table 13.1 Americans’ Belief in an Afterlife Responses to the question:“Do you believe in life after death?” Source: U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, Pew Center’s Forum

on Religion & Public Life, © 2008, Pew Research Center. http://religions.pewforum.org/


Afterlife Beliefs and Mourning RitualsMourning Rituals of the Major Religions

• Ritual is important for Hinduism which include Bathing the body with holy water and

draped with white cloth Sprinkling rice on mouth Cremation with only men present Ashes are scattered and on 31st day, a

memorial service is held



• Buddhism rituals include: Presence of monks is important Bathing ceremony after death Cremation Feast held on day of cremation Continual prayers performed by monks



• Judaism tends to have a community of volunteers Body is washed and purified Body is dried and wrapped in linen Laid to rest with no coffin Family members enter 7 day mourning

period followed by a second 30 day period



• Two major mourning traditions in Christianity Catholic—anointing of the sick, followed by

a vigil, and a requiem mass is held Protestant—may have a funeral service

which includes a eulogy

• Protestant less ritualized than Catholic tradition



• Islamic rituals include: Gathering near deathbed reciting the

Koran Body is bathed and burial takes place

shortly after death Cremation is forbidden Body laid on right side facing Mecca Three day mourning period with wives

mourning for 4 months and 10 days


Afterlife Beliefs and Mourning RitualsHonoring the Dead

• Hindu—year anniversary of death the deceased favorite food is prepared

• Buddhist—ancestor worship• Jewish—Yahrezit candle lit for 24 hours

and prayer recited 3 times• Christian—three-day period called All

Hallows Eve• Muslims—visit graves, show respect,

and offer prayers

human development: a cultural approach jeffrey jensen arnett human development a cultural approach...

Documents

causes of death

weakness slide

consequence of aging

untreated pain slide

shortness of breath

lack of exercise obesity

sources of aging aging

developed countries