Death Coping: Effects of Computer Mediated Communication in Final Conversations

Research suggests death is a taboo topic and families underestimate the need to talk about final wishes, living wills, and other end of life (EoL) issues (Nickels & Tenzek, 2022; Omilion-Hodges & Swords, 2017, Prince-Paul & DiFranco, 2017). EoL conversations not only allow the wishes of loved ones to be met, mitigate unnecessary suffering, and can present an opportunity for a good death (Tenzek & Depner, 2017; Zadeh et al., 2018). EoL communication can also impact outcomes for family members and caregivers like personal growth allows family members to say goodbye, to connect, express love, and explore their own identities (Generous & Keeley, 2022; Keeley, 2007; Keeley & Generous, 2017; Shames & Barton, 2003; Yingling & Keeley, 2007). With the recent COVID-19 pandemic, it made it difficult to have in-person final conversations (FCs) due to the possible spread of the disease. Countries, like Italy, adopted computer mediated communications (CMC) to enhance communication during the outbreak to help affected families with the emotional burden (Ingravallo, 2020). Therefore, the aim of this study is to explain the impact of final conversations when these are conducted through mediated channels on coping with death. Data will be collected from anonymous surveys using quantitative measures to assess independent and dependent variables, and to collect demographic information. Participants must be at least 18 years old, speak English, and have experienced the death of a parent in the last five years. With these results, we hope to highlight the importance of having a FC as it helps cope with the death of a parent, as well as how the channel of that FC impacts coping and other outcomes. Understanding these implications allows us to understand the role of FCs in a good death for survivors and advances the field of end-of-life communication. Keywords: Final conversations, parent-child communication, computer mediated communication, death coping