THE VALUE OF ETERNAL LIFE AS A PRECURSOR TO THE EXPERIENCE OF FEAR OF DEATH AND DYING IN THE CONTEXT OF PALLIATIVE CARE

Background: The aim of the study was to analyse the relationship between the value of eternal life and the experience of fear of death in Czech and Slovak population. Methods: Questionnaire survey (n=4586, CZ 3032, SK 1554) on the adult population (people over 20 years of age). Two-way ANOVA was used to test the dependence analysis, the dependence was tested at the level of p <= 0,05. The sample is representative by gender and age for both countries. Results: The level of the fearful feeling is the same in both countries. It is influenced by preferences for the value of eternal life, but no interaction between populations and preferences for the value of eternal life has been shown. Avoidance of thinking about death varies by country. It is also influenced by preferences for the value of eternal life, as well as the interaction of these two factors. The people with high preference for the value of eternal life in the Czech population avoid of thinking about death. It indicates a stronger influence of this value than in the Slovak population. The feeling of uncertainty is the same in both countries. Preferences for the value of eternal life influence it. The interaction of country and value preference alters the perception of feeling insecure when dying. The uncertainty is significantly lower for people with a high preference for the value of eternal life in the Czech population. It indicates a stronger influence of this value than in the SR population. Conclusion: In palliative care, it is necessary to work intensively with the experience of the fear of death by coming to terms with the value of eternal life. Two paths open up: positive one which leads to a deepening of the preference for value and the expectations associated with it; negative one leads to rejection and liberation.