Maltese youths’ awareness and attitudes towards death

Abstract

This study explored young peoples' understanding of death. Its main aim was to comprehend the attitudes and awareness that young people have towards death and mortality. Furthermore, the study also noted the effects that these views might have on the way that they live their lives. Semi-structured interviews were used when interviewing six Maltese participants, aged between eighteen and twenty-four. This qualitative study used a thematic review as a method of analysis. Four major themes were extracted from the analysis, together with their respective minor themes. This study’s findings reflected that death was seen as a mysterious event which brings peace to some and anxiety to others. The participants' responses suggest that death is understood as an event that brings with it fear, whilst still being a natural event which humans should accept in order to lead meaningful lives. Open discussions with young people about the topic of death and our mortality was given importance by the participants to allow acceptance to happen. Furthermore, death motivates individuals to make the most of their limited time.