Divergent patterns of confrontation with death using the Anticipated Farewell to Existence Questionnaire (AFEQT): a cross‑sectional comparative study of four samples with increasing proximity to death

Abstract

Background Based on the concept of “Daseinsverabschiedung”, an anthropological theory of “Anticipated Farewell to Existence” (AFE) was suggested on the basis of six grounding dimensions: selfhood, interpersonality, temporality, corporeality, worldliness, and transcendence, which are activated in a genuine manner facing death. The purpose of the study is to quantitatively compare the extent of confrontation with death between dying people in palliative care and those in other stages of life by means of the Anticipated Farewell to Existence Questionnaire” (AFEQT), based on these dimensions.

Methods The sample (N = 485) consists of dying individuals in palliative wards and hospices (n = 121); old people living in nursing homes not suffering from a mortal disease (n = 62); young adults (n = 152), and middle-aged adults (n = 150). The design is cross-sectional and analytical. The relevance of anticipated farewell to existence was measured by means of the AFEQT. The internal consistency of the AFEQT was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and convergent validity by means of dimensions of the Life Attitude Profile-Revised (LAP-R). Differences between groups and associations with control variables were estimated by means of multiple regression models, including propensity scores.

Results Cronbach’s alpha for AFEQT was > 0.80 for the whole test and all subsamples, but < 0.70 for most dimensions in dying people. Correlations between each dimension and corresponding two factors was almost overall r > 0.80, p < 0.001. Good convergent validity between dimensions of AFEQT and of Life Attitude Profile-Revised in young and middle-aged participants showed correlations for superordinate indices between -0.23 and 0.72, and an overall p < 0.001. Dying people scored significantly higher for all dimensions, especially “altruistic preoccupation” and “reconciliation with existence” than people in other life stages (p < 0.01- < 0.001). Personality traits of “openness” and “agreeableness” are positively associated with higher scoring of AFEQT dimensions. About 77% of dying participants reported a personal benefit through the interview questions.

Conclusions With proximity to death, the anthropological dimensions proposed scored significant higher than in other stages of life, reflecting a stronger awareness, confrontation and reconciliation with the end of their own life. These dimensions, especially preoccupation for related persons and coexistence of acceptance and struggle with death have to be taken into account in a sensitive way by supporting dialogues with dying people and their relatives.

Trial registration Observational cross-sectional study.