Transforming Students’ Attitudes and Anxieties Toward Death and Loss: The Role of Prior Death Experiences

This study examines the impact of a death and dying course on 39 undergraduate students’ attitudes and anxieties about death. Authors outline key aspects of the curriculum used in the course and discuss how the approach lends itself to a transformative learning experience related to death and loss, preparing students who will face clients with a variety of needs in these areas across practice settings. The majority of students (n？=？34) experienced a decrease in death avoidance, fear of death, and overall death anxiety. Students with a history of multiple violent, traumatic, or unexpected deaths (n？=？5) did not experience any significant changes but demonstrated increased scores of death anxiety suggesting that they may be in need of greater support while engaging in death education