The Lived Experience of Death Anxiety in Relation to Sensory Processing Sensitivity: A Qualitative Examination using Semi-Structured Interview Methodology

Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) has been found to be positively associated with death anxiety, though lived experience of death anxiety in relation to SPS remains unexamined. The current study examined the lived experience of death anxiety in 17 participants across the SPS spectrum using semi-structured interviews to identify potential differences in the experience of death anxiety across varying SPS levels. Reflexive thematic analysis of the data generated three themes. “Fear of Dying” reflected participants’ fear of suffering associated with dying, of burdening their potential prospective caregivers during end-of-life care and their desire for a good death. “Responding to Death Awareness” spoke to the influence of death anxiety in shaping participants’ behavioural responses to death awareness. Death anxiety prompted positive responses to death awareness for some, by encouraging them to craft legacies and adopt positive outlooks on life, but it also prompted emotional responses, such avoiding and repressing death-related thoughts. “Coping with Death Anxiety,” captured participants’ coping mechanisms: humour; discussing death; nature; and planning for death and end-of-life. While themes and experiences were similar across the SPS spectrum, the fear of undergoing end-of-life care in medicalised settings and the potential benefits of nature in alleviating death anxiety seemed of particular relevance to those higher in SPS. The value of considering SPS and other sensory needs within end-of-life care environments to ensure positive dying experiences is discussed. Tadgh Connery’s doctoral research is supported by the National University of Ireland through a Travelling Doctoral Studentship. notReviewed other