Final answer:
Adults often fear death due to its uncontrollable nature, cultural values, and personal beliefs. The Kübler-Ross model details stages people may go through when facing death, whereas societal stigma, such as that surrounding cancer, can delay treatment. Personal responsibility is another factor influencing how individuals face their mortality and the actions they take towards their health.
Step-by-step explanation:
Because few people are to blame for their own deaths, adults tend to fear the uncontrollable aspects of death and the finality it represents. This fear can manifest in different ways, depending on cultural values, religious beliefs, and individual psychology. For instance, while those with religious or spiritual beliefs may find comfort through their faith and community, which eases the fear of death, others might struggle more profoundly with the concept.
Additionally, the exaggeration of certain death causes, such as criminal attacks, is influenced by media consumption, making such events seem more common than they are, thereby amplifying fear. Furthermore, the process of aging and the susceptibility to diseases can heighten one's anxiety about mortality, as adults often celebrate markers of growing up but may resist the signs of aging and the help they need due to stigma or fear.
The Kübler-Ross model outlines a sequence of emotional stages that individuals often experience when facing death: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. These stages reflect the complex psychological journey towards accepting death. Social stigma, like the fear of cancer, may also contribute to delayed diagnoses and treatments, thereby inadvertently increasing the risk of death.
It is also notable that personal responsibility plays a role in this context. Our actions and choices impact our health and longevity, and at times individuals might not want to acknowledge their part in their health outcomes, preferring to attribute blame elsewhere.