Death Anxiety in Young Adults: A Critical Mental Health Concern in China

Researchers from the Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine have conducted a study to understand the underlying psychological mechanisms and predictors of death anxiety in Chinese youth. The study involved a cross-sectional survey of 623 young adults aged 18-35 years in mainland China. The researchers identified three latent profiles of death anxiety: High Death Anxiety, Moderate Cognition and Low Death Anxiety, and Low Cognition and Moderate Death Anxiety. They also found that higher self-esteem, perceived social support, and sense of security were associated with lower death anxiety.

Key Takeaways:

• The study identified three latent profiles of death anxiety among young adults in China: High Death Anxiety, Moderate Cognition and Low Death Anxiety, and Low Cognition and Moderate Death Anxiety.
• The High Death Anxiety profile accounted for 56.2% of the sample, while the Moderate Cognition and Low Death Anxiety profile accounted for 8.8% and the Low Cognition and Moderate Death Anxiety profile accounted for 35%.
• Higher self-esteem was associated with lower death anxiety ( β = -0.46, p < 0.01).
• Perceived social support and sense of security were also found to be significant predictors of death anxiety.
• The findings suggest that death anxiety is a critical mental health concern among young adults in China, and that self-esteem, social support, and sense of security may play a crucial role in its development.
• Future research should focus on employing longitudinal designs and cross-cultural samples to validate causal pathways and refine targeted strategies.

Statistics:

• 623 young adults participated in the cross-sectional survey.
• The average age of the participants was 23.62 years (SD = 3.61).
• 56.2% of the participants belonged to the High Death Anxiety profile.
• 8.8% of the participants belonged to the Moderate Cognition and Low Death Anxiety profile.
• 35% of the participants belonged to the Low Cognition and Moderate Death Anxiety profile.
• Higher self-esteem was associated with lower death anxiety (β = -0.46, p < 0.01).

Sources:

• Wu, M., et al. (2025). Latent profiles of death anxiety among young adults: associations with self-esteem, security, and perceived social support. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16, 1594720.
• NewsRx. (2025, October 20). Findings from Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine in Anxiety Disorders Reported (Latent profiles of death anxiety among young adults: associations with self-esteem, security, and perceived social support). Mental Health Weekly Digest, p 260.