IMPACT OF DEATH ANXIETY ON HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS: MODERATING EFFECT OF SELF-EFFICACY

Abstract

Background: Death anxiety is a common psychological concern among healthcare professionals because of frequent exposure to critically ill patients, terminal illnesses, and patient deaths. Persistent death anxiety may adversely affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Self-efficacy has been recognized as a psychological resource that may improve coping with occupational stress and enhance overall well-being.

Aim: To determine the impact of death anxiety on health-related quality of life among healthcare professionals and to examine the moderating effect of self-efficacy.

Methods: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 healthcare professionals working in selected tertiary care hospitals. Participants were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising demographic information, the Death Anxiety Scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and a Health-Related Quality of Life scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, linear regression, and PROCESS macro moderation analysis were performed. Statistical significance was set at p < .05.

Results: Participants reported moderate levels of death anxiety and moderate to high levels of self-efficacy and health-related quality of life. Death anxiety significantly predicted health-related quality of life (R² = .454, β = .674, p < .001). Self-efficacy showed a significant direct association with health-related quality of life. The interaction between death anxiety and self-efficacy was not statistically significant (β = −.232, p = .221), indicating that self-efficacy did not moderate the relationship.

Conclusion: Death anxiety significantly influenced health-related quality of life among healthcare professionals. Self-efficacy improved health-related quality of life directly but did not moderate the relationship between death anxiety and health-related quality of life. Healthcare organizations should implement psychological support and resilience-building interventions to promote healthcare professionals' well-being