Authoritarianism and Awareness of Death in Spanish College Students

Authors

  • María de la Villa Moral-Jiménez Universidad de Oviedo
  • Carlos Suárez-Juesas Universidad de Oviedo

Abstract

The aim of this study was to relate authoritarianism and awareness of death, suggesting that subjects with a higher degree of authoritarianism would present a greater fear of their own and others death. 202 Spanish university students, aged between 18 and 25 years (M = 20,50; DT= 2,57) were selected using a two-stage sampling of convenience with an intra-group random subsample. The results obtained in this study provide empirical evidence on the significant differences by gender in the Anti-intraceptivity factor of F Scale, with higher rates expressed in the male gender and differences due to age (Power and Strength factor in F Scale and Conventionalism, Authoritarian submission in the Right Wing Authoritarianism [RWA] Scale in the older students compared to the lowest level). In both scales it was confirmed that there are significant differences, both in terms of social class and political orientation. It has also been found empirical evidence confirming that the authoritarian people have a greater fear of their own and others death, and are more aware of the dying process. The implications of these findings are discussed and future research lines in the subject are proposed.

Keywords:

authoritarianism, awareness of death, F Scale, RWA Scale, university students, Spain