Searching for Meaning 1 Running head: SEARCHING FOR MEANING: DEATH AND SPIRITUALITY Searching for Meaning: Moving Toward an Understanding of Death and Spirituality

Searching for Meaning 2 Barriers to accessing quality end-of-life care, such as hospice care, are the result in part, of the reluctance of many Americans to come to terms with their personal mortality. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of death and spirituality of two sample populations. The first sample included thirty-nine individuals, randomly selected from a small mid-western town telephone directory. The second sample included forty-one individuals from a small mid-western University, Master’s of Social Work school. The research was a mixed methodology project, combining a quantitative instrument to survey death attitudes and a qualitative survey to assess attitudes regarding spirituality. The individuals ’ death and dying attitudes were surveyed using Wong, Reker, and Gesser’s (1994), Death Attitude Profile – Revised survey instrument. The spirituality attitudes were assessed using a written questionnaire containing six open-ended questions. The relationship between the two topics was explored. In the year 2030 it is estimated that 20 % of Americans will be 65 years or older. The literature suggests that the “baby boomer ” population wants choices and quality of life issues addressed, at the end-of-life. Ultimately, knowledge of attitudes towards death and spirituality will help clinicians effectively and compassionately serve dying individuals