Comparison of Death Anxiety, Death Obsession, and Humor Among Nurses Working in Medical-Surgical Departments and Intensive Care Units

Background: Death anxiety and obsession are human tensions that routinely present in nursing. The sense of humor is also associated with obsession and anxiety. Objectives: Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the level of death anxiety, death obsession, and sense of humor among nurses working in medical-surgical wards and intensive care units in Iran. This is a descriptive-analytical study. Methods: The research population comprised 240 nurses working in intensive care units and medical-surgical departments in Kerman. The research instrument was composed of a demographic questionnaire, death obsession scale (DOS), Templer death anxiety scale (TDAS), and humor styles questionnaire (HSQ). Results: The mean scores of nurse's death anxiety in intensive care units and medical-surgical wards were 7.46 +/- 3.43 and 5.46 +/- 2.84, respectively. The mean scores of death obsession in intensive care units and medical-surgical wards were 30.47 +/- 11.17 and 26.38 +/- 11.67, respectively. The mean scores of the sense of humor in the two groups were 117.37 +/- 21.31 and 109.56 +/- 23.47, respectively. The mean scores of death anxiety, death obsession, and sense of humor among nurses were significantly higher in intensive care units than in medical-surgical wards (P < 0.05). Conclusions: It is necessary to determine the sources of death anxiety and obsession and strengthen the sense of humor in nurses to provide better healthcare.