Modelling Everyday Understandings of Mortality: A Qualitative Enquiry

Article

McEwan, Oona, Mcdermott, M. and Hefferon, Kate 2018. Modelling Everyday Understandings of Mortality: A Qualitative Enquiry. Journal of Humanistic Psychology. 62 (5), pp. 627-652. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022167818787908
AuthorsMcEwan, Oona, Mcdermott, M. and Hefferon, Kate
Abstract

With few exceptions, much of the literature on mortality awareness (MA; the realization of one’s own and other’s mortality), though based on quantitative research, is focused on its negative effects and processes associated with fearing its occurrence. However, recent studies have demonstrated that MA is multifaceted and can be associated with positive processes and outcomes. Here, everyday understandings of MA were investigated using grounded theory. Ten participants engaged in one-off semistructured interviews about their everyday experiences of MA. Grounded theory analysis revealed four main themes: (a) Moments of MA, (b) Functionality of MA, (c) Coping strategies for MA, and (d) Inability to cope with MA. Each of these themes is composed of two to five subthemes. The results supported the notion that MA is experienced in a multidimensional manner, which appears to align with elements of the Multidimensional Mortality Awareness Measure and Model. Furthermore, positive and/or negative outcomes appeared to depend on the function attributed to MA by the individual. Therefore, the ability to attribute such function to MA appears to be important in our understanding of this key existential issue.

JournalJournal of Humanistic Psychology
Journal citation62 (5), pp. 627-652
ISSN0022-1678
Year2018
PublisherSAGE Publications
Accepted author manuscript
License
File Access Level
Anyone
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/0022167818787908
Publication dates
Online03 Aug 2018
Publication process dates
Deposited11 Sep 2018
Accepted07 Jun 2018
Accepted07 Jun 2018
Copyright informationAs accepted for publication in Journal of Humanistic Psychology: McEwan, O., McDermott, M., Hefferon, K., Modelling Everyday Understandings of Mortality: A Qualitative Enquiry, Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 62 (5), pp. 627 - 652. Copyright © 2018 The authors.
Permalink -

https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/8473v

Log in to edit

Download files

Accepted author manuscript
7496.pdf
License: All rights reserved
File access level: Anyone

  • 219
    total views
  • 446
    total downloads
  • 5
    views this month
  • 4
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

How to increase engagement with environmentalism: Perceived threat, behavioural control, and subjective norms as psychological predictors of eco-activism
Abonyi, A. and Mcdermott, M. 2024. How to increase engagement with environmentalism: Perceived threat, behavioural control, and subjective norms as psychological predictors of eco-activism. Journal of Ecopsychology. 4, pp. 1-16.
Predicting mental health from the Apter Motivational Style Profile during the COVID-19 pandemic – the importance of planfulness and goal orientation
Freeman, K. M. and McDermott, M. 2022. Predicting mental health from the Apter Motivational Style Profile during the COVID-19 pandemic – the importance of planfulness and goal orientation. Journal of Motivation, Emotion, and Personality. 11, pp. 1-7. https://doi.org/10.12689/jmep.2022.1101
Investigating the effect of inquiry-based stress reduction on mortality awareness and interpersonal problems among intensive care unit nurses
Tajnia, S., Iranmanesh, S., Asadi, N. and McDermott, M. 2022. Investigating the effect of inquiry-based stress reduction on mortality awareness and interpersonal problems among intensive care unit nurses. BMC Psychiatry. 22 (Art. 106). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-03764-y
Psychological Predictors of Mortality Awareness: Time Perspective, Contentment With Age and Paternal Antipathy and Neglect
Willoch, T. C. F. and Mcdermott, M. 2022. Psychological Predictors of Mortality Awareness: Time Perspective, Contentment With Age and Paternal Antipathy and Neglect. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying. 85 (1), pp. 225-245. https://doi.org/10.1177/0030222820944065
A New Methodology for Developing A Self-Report Psychodiversity Questionnaire: Update and Future Directions For A Work in Progress
McDermott, M., Alfonson, D. L., Thorpe-Jones, V. and Saunders, M. 2021. A New Methodology for Developing A Self-Report Psychodiversity Questionnaire: Update and Future Directions For A Work in Progress. Journal of Motivation, Emotion, and Personality. 10, pp. 13-18. https://doi.org/10.12689/jmep.2021.1002
COVID Health Behaviour Non-compliance as Playful Oppositionalism and Implications for Public Health Strategy
Mcdermott, M. and Lafreniere, K. 2020. COVID Health Behaviour Non-compliance as Playful Oppositionalism and Implications for Public Health Strategy. National Institute for Health Research MindTech2020 National Symposium: Digital Mental Health in the Age of COVID. 02 - 03 Dec 2020
Evaluating the Criticisms of the Stanford Prison Experiment
Mcdermott, M. 2019. Evaluating the Criticisms of the Stanford Prison Experiment. Psychology Review Magazine. 25 (2), pp. 18-20.
Being innovative and ethical about research
Mcdermott, M. 2019. Being innovative and ethical about research. Psychology Review Magazine. 24 (3), pp. 23-25.
Development and validation of the multi-dimensional questionnaire of scientifically unsubstantiated beliefs
Stone, A., Mcdermott, M., Abdi, Aishi, Cornwell, Brittanie, Matyas, Zsofia, Reed, Ruby and Watt, Rebecca 2018. Development and validation of the multi-dimensional questionnaire of scientifically unsubstantiated beliefs. Personality and Individual Differences. 128, pp. 146-156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2018.02.024
An evaluation of the efficacy of physical activity interventions in an east London and an Essex borough: Active Sport for Life, exercise & gym-swim.
Mcdermott, M. and Meha, Ardiana 2017. An evaluation of the efficacy of physical activity interventions in an east London and an Essex borough: Active Sport for Life, exercise & gym-swim. University of East London and London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
Evaluating the effects of six alcohol-related message frames on emotions and intentions: The neglected role of disgust
Collymore, Natalie N. and Mcdermott, M. 2015. Evaluating the effects of six alcohol-related message frames on emotions and intentions: The neglected role of disgust. Journal of Health Psychology. 21 (9), pp. 1907-1917. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105314567910
Comparing the Psychological Effects of Different Psychiatric Labels: Borderline, Paranoid, and Antisocial Personality Disorder; Major Depression; Anxiety Disorder; and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Celaire, Sarah and Mcdermott, M. 2015. Comparing the Psychological Effects of Different Psychiatric Labels: Borderline, Paranoid, and Antisocial Personality Disorder; Major Depression; Anxiety Disorder; and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry. 17 (1), pp. 33-44. https://doi.org/10.1891/1559-4343.17.1.33
Measuring and predicting mental health literacy for depression
Swannell, Emily J. and Mcdermott, M. 2015. Measuring and predicting mental health literacy for depression. International Journal of Mental Health Promotion. 17 (5), pp. 293-311. https://doi.org/10.1080/14623730.2015.1089010
An Empirical Evaluation of the Reversal Theory State Measure: Tracking Changes in the Experience of Video Commercials of Three Leading Running Brands
Watkins, Leo, Wilson, Marcia, Mcdermott, M. and Buscombe, R. 2015. An Empirical Evaluation of the Reversal Theory State Measure: Tracking Changes in the Experience of Video Commercials of Three Leading Running Brands. in: 17th International Reversal Theory Conference Programme and Abstracts The Reversal Theory Society. pp. 16
An Empirical Evaluation of the Reversal Theory State Measure UsingThree Running Brand Video Commercials
Watkins, L., Wilson, M., McDermott, M. and Buscombe, R. 2016. An Empirical Evaluation of the Reversal Theory State Measure UsingThree Running Brand Video Commercials. Journal of Motivation, Emotion, and Personality. 5, pp. 27-36. https://doi.org/10.12689/jmep.2016.504
Does It Matter What You Call It? Lay Beliefs for Overcoming Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, and Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome
Mcdermott, M., Bendle, Chris, Griffin, Murray and Furnham, Adrian 2016. Does It Matter What You Call It? Lay Beliefs for Overcoming Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, and Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome. Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry. 18 (2), pp. 150-162. https://doi.org/10.1891/1559-4343.18.2.150
The Multidimensional Mortality Awareness Measure and Model:Development and Validation of a New Self-Report Questionnaire and Psychological Framework
Levasseur, Oona, Mcdermott, M. and Lafreniere, Kathryn D. 2015. The Multidimensional Mortality Awareness Measure and Model:Development and Validation of a New Self-Report Questionnaire and Psychological Framework. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying. 70 (3), pp. 317-341. https://doi.org/10.1177/0030222815569440
Developmental Antecedents of Proactive and Reactive Rebelliousness: The Role of Parenting Style, Childhood Adversity, and Attachment
Mcdermott, M. and Barik, N. 2014. Developmental Antecedents of Proactive and Reactive Rebelliousness: The Role of Parenting Style, Childhood Adversity, and Attachment. Journal of Motivation, Emotion, and Personality: Reversal Theory Studies. 2 (1), pp. 22-31. https://doi.org/10.12689/jmep.2014.203
Rebelliousness and attachment difficulties as legacies of parental neglect in childhood
Mcdermott, M. 2013. Rebelliousness and attachment difficulties as legacies of parental neglect in childhood. UEL Research and Knowledge Exchange Conference 2013. University of East London, London 26 Jun 2013 London University of East London.
A project to assist Family Actions's Building Bridges practitioners with the use of the Index of Family Relations as an outcome measurement: final report
Harden, A., Lloyd-Reichling, E., Mcdermott, M., Potter, Sylvia and Sayeed, Zahirun 2009. A project to assist Family Actions's Building Bridges practitioners with the use of the Index of Family Relations as an outcome measurement: final report. London University of East London.
The story of Daniel
Mcdermott, M. 1986. The story of Daniel. New Society.
Regret is what you get: the effects of manipulating anticipated affect and time perspective on risky single-occasion drinking
Murgraff, Vered, Mcdermott, M., White, David and Phillips, Keith 1999. Regret is what you get: the effects of manipulating anticipated affect and time perspective on risky single-occasion drinking. Alcohol & Alcoholism. 34 (4), pp. 590-600.
Exploring attitude and belief correlates of adhering to the new guidelines for low-risk single-occasion drinking: an application of the theory of planned behaviour
Murgraff, Vered, Mcdermott, M. and Walsh, J. 2001. Exploring attitude and belief correlates of adhering to the new guidelines for low-risk single-occasion drinking: an application of the theory of planned behaviour. Alcohol & Alcoholism. 36 (2), pp. 135-140.
Reducing Friday alcohol consumption among moderate, women drinkers: evaluation of a brief evidence-based intervention
Murgraff, Vered, Abraham, Charles and Mcdermott, M. 2007. Reducing Friday alcohol consumption among moderate, women drinkers: evaluation of a brief evidence-based intervention. Alcohol & Alcoholism. 42 (1), pp. 37-41.
A project to assist Family Action’s Building Bridges practitioners with the use of the Index of Family Relations as an outcome measurement (Final Report).
Harden, A., Lloyd-Reichling, E., Mcdermott, M., Potter, Sylvia and Sayeed, Zahirun 2009. A project to assist Family Action’s Building Bridges practitioners with the use of the Index of Family Relations as an outcome measurement (Final Report). Family Action, Institute of Health and Human Development and CASS School of Education, University of East London.
BBC Television ‘The Experiment’ – report of the independent ethics panel
Mcdermott, M., Öpik, Lembit, Smith, Stephen, Taylor, Steve and Wills, Andrea 2002. BBC Television ‘The Experiment’ – report of the independent ethics panel.
Tackling teenage obesity: literature review and project proposal
Mcdermott, M. and Potton, A. 2008. Tackling teenage obesity: literature review and project proposal. Desk research report for the Barking and Dagenham Primary Care Trust, London School of Psychology, University of East London.