Self-esteem, locus of control and religiosity in predicting death anxiety among students in a Nigerian tertiary institution

Background: Anxiety usually accompanies the thought of death, and certain variables have been repeatedly linked to it. However, the link has not been thoroughly investigated in Nigeria. Self-esteem, religiosity and locus of control (LOC), which have been linked to death anxiety in Western countries, were investigated among students in a higher institution in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Methods: In this cross-sectional survey, convenience sampling was used in selecting participants from the tertiary institution. A questionnaire consisting of Templer Death Anxiety Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Revised Intrinsic/Extrinsic Religious Orientation Scale and Multi-dimensional LOC Scales was used to obtain the data on death anxiety, self-esteem, religious orientation and LOC, respectively. Results: A total of 317 students (mean age 23.8 ± 3.25 years; 131 male) participated in the study. The findings showed that only 'powerful others' LOC ( P < 0.01) made a unique and statistically significant contribution to death anxiety among the students. Conclusions: While effort on intervention by health professionals can be directed at the external LOC to lessen death anxiety, other variables require further probe.