Perceptions of Death and Religiosity Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil: A Qualitative Study.

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic intensified reflections on death and fear of death, particularly among older adults, who were disproportionately affected by severe outcomes and social restrictions. Religiosity and spirituality are recognized as relevant resources for coping with existential distress; however, qualitative evidence examining these dimensions in the Brazilian context remains limited.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the subjective meanings and lived experiences of older adults regarding death, fear of death, and religiosity during the COVID-19 pandemic, comparing individuals who were infected and not infected with SARS-CoV-2.

METHODS

This qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study was conducted with 171 older adults (≥60 years) residing in Brazil. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using IRAMUTEQ software (Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires; Pierre Ratinaud, Laboratoire d'Études et de Recherches Appliquées en Sciences Sociales, Toulouse, France), reaching saturation while ensuring the mathematical stability of the lexical clusters. Analytical procedures included descending hierarchical classification (DHC), word cloud generation, and similarity analysis to identify stable multidimensional patterns in participants' narratives.

RESULTS

The DHC identified six stable lexical classes. Narratives highlighted the prominence of death-related themes, frequently associated with fear of suffering, family relationships, faith, and hope. Religiosity emerged as a central pillar for interpretive processes and emotional regulation. Participants who had experienced SARS-CoV-2 infection described death as a more concrete and imminent possibility, whereas non-infected participants more often emphasized anticipatory fear, vulnerability, and concern for the impact of their death on family members.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that older adults' perceptions of death were shaped by an interrelation of emotional and spiritual factors. Religiosity functioned as a vital coping mechanism, providing a framework for acceptance and resilience. These results underscore the importance of integrating spiritual and existential dimensions into geriatric care and mental health support, especially during public health crises.