Final answer:
Older adolescents and emerging adults typically do not deal with death anxiety by strictly following the Kübler-Ross model stages. They often experience these stages variably, may skip some stages, or utilize different coping mechanisms such as drawing from spiritual beliefs, community support, or personal cultural values.
Step-by-step explanation:
One way in which older adolescents and emerging adults do not typically deal with death anxiety is by consistently adhering to the stages of the Kübler-Ross model without any deviation or personal variation. This rigid adherence is actually not supported by subsequent research. While the model outlines the stages of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, it is not comprehensive or universally applied. Instead, individuals often experience these emotions in different sequences, may skip some stages altogether, or may revisit certain stages multiple times. Moreover, some individuals may even find the finality of death to be a source of motivation to enjoy and make the most of the time they have left, rather than a source of intense fear or anxiety.
Furthermore, the concept of avoiding the reality of death until the final moments as an adaptive coping mechanism is another aspect that goes against the notion of strict adherence to a stage model of grief. Additionally, finding comfort in spiritual beliefs or religious practices and the social support that comes with belonging to such communities is a coping mechanism that helps many navigate their anxiety about death. Young adults and adolescents may also draw from their cultural beliefs and values that shape their perceptions of death, further demonstrating the diversity in coping strategies that are not encompassed by Kübler-Ross's model.