Relationship between Perceived Impact of Terrorist Attacks, Resilience, and Religious Beliefs on death anxiety among Student in Islamabad

Objectives: The present research was carried out to explore the perceived impact of terrorist attacks in terms of dread, lack of control and extent of exposure in death anxiety. It was also intended to explore the moderating effect of resilient attributes, and religious beliefs were investigated. Methods: Sample consisted of 359 students (directly perceived =159, and in-directly perceived =200). Their age ranged between 15-22 years. Sample was collected from Islamabad and Rawalpindi. 223 of them males with mean age (M=18.97 years, SD=2.48), and 136 females with mean age (M =18.53, SD=2.68). Data was collected through Perceived impact of terrorist attack scale (Khan & Rafiq, 2016), Death anxiety scale (Templer, 1970), The Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA)(Friborg, 2003), and Religiosity questionnaire (Rafiq & Shehzadi, 2013). Quantitative research method was used in the study. After data collection, data was analyzed using SPSS and Process. Descriptive statistics, correlational analysis, and moderation was done. Results:   Results of correlational analysis indicated that perceived impact of terrorist attacks (dread, lack of control, and extent of exposure) were significantly positively (P≥0.001)  associated with death anxiety among directly and in-directly perceived individuals however directly perceived individuals were found to be less fearful about death as compared to in-directly perceived individuals. Religious beliefs and resilient attributes appeared to have moderating effect on relationship between perceived impact of terrorist attacks and death anxiety. Conclusion: From the findings we may infer that belief about hereafter, presence of God, and coping may reduce death anxiety more in directly exposed than indirectly exposed individuals.