Life satisfaction, life review, and near-death experiences in the elderly.
M Olson, P Dulaney
Journal of Holistic Nursing December 1993 DOI: 10.1177/089801019301100406 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational survey with qualitative interviews and comparison group Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 145 |
| Population | Senior citizens living independently in the community |
| Measures | Life Satisfaction Index (LSI-A) |
| Topics | Near-death experience |
| Key findings | Among 145 independent-living seniors, 46 reported a close call with death and 12 described an unusual experience during it. Although older people appear to have near-death experiences at least as often as other groups, life review did not seem to be part of these experiences, and Life Satisfaction Index scores showed no correlation with life review in the context of an NDE. |
Abstract
When 145 senior citizens living independently in the community were surveyed for incidence of near-death experiences (NDEs), 46 of the seniors believed they had had a "close call" with death. Twelve of those reported that they had had an unusual experience during their close call and were subsequently interviewed. Their stories were evaluated using research criteria to document sufficient number of characteristics of an NDE for inclusion in research data and if that set of characteristics of the NDE included a life review component. They were also compared to a non-NDE group on the Life Satisfaction Index, to determine if life review in the context of an NDE helped older people feel more satisfied with life. There was no correlation, because surprisingly, although older people do have NDEs at least as often as other groups, the life review does not seem to be a part of it. So the reasons for scores on the LSI-A are not attributable to the life review. Reasons for this finding are discussed.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on near-death experience, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualitative thematic analysis of the phenomenology of near-death experiences Cardiac arrest survivors | 2018 | Qualitative study | n = 34 |
| Do Suicide Survivors Report Near-Death Experiences? Persons who had been close to death as a result of a suicide attempt | 1982 | Qualitative study | n = 36 |
| The evolving self: finding meaning in near-death experiences using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Female participants who had near-death experiences | 2008 | Qualitative study | n = 3 |
| Investigation of the phenomenology, physiology and impact of spiritually transformative experiences - kundalini awakening. Persons having a spiritually transformative experience (e.g., spontaneous energetic... | 2021 | Qualitative study | |
| Near-death experiences and religion: A further investigation Near-death experiencers | 1984 | Qualitative study | n = 40 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- Near-death experiences and satisfaction with life. Journal of Near-Death Studies 1994
- Effect on emotional well-being of hypnotic recall of the near-death experience. Journal of Near-Death Studies 1996
- The Bereaved Detachment Experience: An NDE-like Phenomenon. OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying April 28, 2025
- Enlightenment and the Psychology of Self-Transcendence: Pathways to Fundamental Well-Being and Prosocial Behavior IntechOpen eBooks January 13, 2025
- Bruce Greyson responds Journal of Near-Death Studies 1996
and 2 more in the library
Cites 4
- The Near-Death Experience Scale The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease June 1, 1983
- A typology of near-death experiences American Journal of Psychiatry August 1, 1985
- Near-death experiences and personal values American Journal of Psychiatry May 1, 1983
- Incidence of Near‐Death Experiences Following Attempted Suicide Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior March 1, 1986