2.2. Analyse how factors impact views on death and dying for: • the individual • the health and social practitioner • others

This guide will help you answer 2.2. Analyse how factors impact views on death and dying for: • the individual • the health and social practitioner • others.

Death and dying are deeply personal topics. The way individuals and communities perceive and respond to them can vary drastically. These differences are often influenced by a range of factors, and this variation extends across personal experiences, professional contexts, and collective or societal settings. In this guide, we provide an analysis of how these factors affect the views of individuals, health and social care practitioners, and others (such as family, friends, and the wider community).

Individual Factors

Every individual’s view of death and dying will be shaped by a unique combination of influences. These might include cultural upbringing, religious or spiritual beliefs, previous experiences with loss, and personal mental and emotional health.

Cultural Background

Culture strongly shapes how individuals understand and respond to death. For example, in some cultures, death is seen as a natural and even welcome part of life’s cycle. This might be reflected in rituals such as celebrations of life after the passing of a loved one. For instance, traditions like Mexico’s Day of the Dead honour deceased family members with festivities. By contrast, cultures that view death as a taboo topic may discourage open conversations about dying, which can lead to fear or anxiety.

Religious or Spiritual Beliefs

Religious and spiritual frameworks often offer explanations about what happens after death. Someone with a strong belief in an afterlife might feel less fear and more acceptance of death. For instance, Christians may find comfort in the belief of life after death in heaven, while Hindus may focus on karma and reincarnation. On the other hand, individuals without religious beliefs may find death more final, which can create existential concerns or different coping strategies.

Personal Experiences

Those who have witnessed or experienced a peaceful passing might view death as more manageable compared to individuals traumatised by a loved one’s sudden or painful loss. Previous experiences often shape expectations and reactions.

Emotional and Mental Wellbeing

Mental health affects how people process and cope with death. For someone with depression or anxiety, thoughts of mortality may be overwhelming or lead to avoidance behaviours. Meanwhile, individuals who are more resilient may face the topic with reflection and acceptance.

Age and Stage of Life

Younger individuals tend to distance themselves from thoughts of death, viewing it as something remote and irrelevant to their current lives. For older individuals, death might feel closer and may lead to contemplation about life’s achievements or unresolved issues.

Socioeconomic Status

Economic stability can also influence how individuals deal with death. Financial concerns, such as the cost of funerals, can create additional stress for those in lower-income brackets. On the other hand, wealthier individuals might focus more on creating a lasting legacy or planning for their end-of-life care needs.

Health and Social Care Practitioners

Health and social care practitioners approach death and dying in a professional capacity. Their views may be influenced by their training, professional role, prior experiences, and organisational culture.

Training and Knowledge

Practitioners trained in palliative or end-of-life care typically develop specific attitudes towards death. They may learn how to separate their personal feelings from professional work, allowing them to provide compassionate and informed care without becoming emotionally overwhelmed. Training often equips them with strategies to support individuals and families facing death, but gaps in knowledge or experience may still leave some practitioners feeling unprepared.

Occupational Stress

Caring for individuals who are dying can be both physically and emotionally draining. Continuous exposure to death may lead to compassion fatigue or burnout, which can sometimes result in detachment or a pessimistic outlook. Conversely, some practitioners find meaning and purpose in supporting people at the end of their lives, which can reinforce positive attitudes towards death.

Personal Beliefs and Practices

Despite professional boundaries, practitioners’ personal beliefs about death and dying can influence their practice. For example, a practitioner with strong religious beliefs may naturally turn to spiritual approaches when supporting someone who is dying. Those without such beliefs might focus on practical and emotional solutions.

Organisational Culture

Each organisation has its own policies and approaches to end-of-life care. For instance, practitioners working in hospices often adopt a holistic approach to caring for both the dying individual and their families. Meanwhile, those in hospital settings might work under time and resource pressures that could hinder their ability to meet the emotional needs of dying individuals.

Ethical Challenges

Practitioners often face moral dilemmas when dealing with death. These may include respecting an individual’s wishes about treatment, balancing between providing life-extending interventions versus palliative care, or managing family disagreements over what is best for the person. These ethical issues can shape their perspectives on what a “good death” looks like.

Factors Affecting Others

Death and dying do not just affect the individual in question. Families, friends, and the wider community all play roles in how death is experienced and understood. Views within these groups are shaped by their own experiences, beliefs, and societal norms.

Family Dynamics

Families often play a central role in supporting someone who is dying. Relationships among family members can strongly influence how death is approached and understood. For example:

• Close-knit families may rally together, sharing caregiving responsibilities and showing collective strength.
• Fragmented families might experience heightened conflict, especially over decisions like the person’s care plan or funeral arrangements.

Loss and Grief

The experience of loss and grief differs widely between individuals. While some may find comfort in remembering the deceased, others could struggle with prolonged sadness, anger, or denial. Each person’s “grief journey” (the personal process of adjusting to loss) is unique, but factors like the suddenness of the death or the presence of unresolved issues can make the experience harder.

Cultural Expectations

Societal norms dictate how people should behave in the face of death. In some cultures, public displays of grief are anticipated and seen as a meaningful way to honour the deceased. In others, grieving is treated as a private matter, potentially isolating individuals during difficult times.

Role of Media

Media representation of death—be it in news reports, films, or online platforms—influences people’s reactions. Overexposure to graphically portrayed deaths can lead to desensitisation, while positive media stories about legacy creation may inspire individuals or families to rethink how they want to honour their loved ones.

Support Networks

The strength of a person’s support network greatly impacts how death is handled. Friends, care professionals, and community groups can provide emotional, psychological, and physical support during bereavement. A lack of support may leave someone feeling isolated or struggling to cope.

Broader Implications

Different factors often overlap to shape a more complex understanding of death and dying for everyone involved. Death is more than a private event; it triggers responses from health systems, legal systems, and cultural institutions.

For instance:

• The healthcare system’s treatment of palliative care affects how people approach end-of-life decisions.
• Laws regarding euthanasia or assisted dying influence public discourse.
• Cultural shifts, such as movements advocating for “death positivity” (encouraging open conversations about mortality), may reshape societal attitudes.

Each factor offers both challenges and opportunities. By recognising these influences, individuals, practitioners, and communities can work towards creating more compassionate and supportive environments for those nearing the end of life. This shared understanding empowers people to approach death with empathy and respect for diverse perspectives.