Skip to main content

Table 2 Comparison of means among explored subsamples by variance analyses (Scheffé test)

From: Divergent patterns of confrontation with death using the Anticipated Farewell to Existence Questionnaire (AFEQT): a cross-sectional comparative study of four samples with increasing proximity to death

 

Young adults (1)

(N = 152)

Middle-aged (2)

(N = 150)

Elderly people (3)

(N = 62)

Dying persons (4)

(N = 121)

Differences

(Variance analyses, Scheffé test)

M (SD)

Vc

Md

M (SD)

Vc

Md

M (SD)

Vc

Md

M (SD)

Vc

Md

Bartlettp

F p

Significant diff

a) Permanence

2.62 (0.78)

30%

2.6

2.75 (0.76)

28%

2.8

3.16 (0.86)

27%

3.4

3.60 (0.63)

17%

4.0

9.33*

49.4***

3 > 1, 2; 4 > 1, 2, 3

b) Metaphysical rise

2.21 (0.69)

31%

2.2

2.74 (0.82)

30%

2.8

2.94 (0.87)

30%

2.9

3.09 (0.84)

27%

3.2

8.42*

29.7***

3 > 1; 4 > 1, 2

I: Self-transcendence

2.42 (0.62)

26%

2.4

2.74 (0.61)

22%

2.8

3.05 (0.65)

21%

3.2

3.25 (0.65)

20%

3.5

0.56 n.s

53.2***

2 > 1; 3 > 1, 2;

4 > 1, 2, 3

a) Conclusion

2.97 (0.64)

22%

3.0

3.26 (0.58)

18%

3.4

3.20 (0.74)

23%

3.2

3.32 (0.78)

23%

3.6

14.1*

7.5***

2 > 1; 4 > 1

b) Farewell

1.89 (0.59)

31%

2.0

2.09 (0.52)

25%

2.0

2.67 (0.69)

26%

2.8

3.24 (0.69)

21%

3.4

12.5**

128***

2 > 1; 3 > 1, 2; 4 > 1, 2, 3

II: Expiration time of own existence

2.43 (0.53)

22%

2.5

2.67 (0.48)

18%

2.7

2.93 (0.63)

22%

3.0

3.28 (0.55)

17%

3.3

7.1 n.s

60.7***

2 > 1; 3 > 1,2;

4 > 1, 2, 3

a) Bequest

3.12 (0.62)

20%

3.2

3.29 (0.49)

15%

3.4

3.14 (0.71)

23%

3.2

3.72 (0.48)

13%

4.0

20.9***

29.0***

4 > 1, 2, 3

b) Charity

2.64 (0.65)

25%

2.6

2.82 (0.56)

20%

2.8

3.12 (0.67)

21%

3.2

3.34 (0.69)

21%

3.6

6.7 n.s

30.3***

3 > 1, 2; 4 > 1, 2

III: Altruistic preoccupation

2.88 (0.52)

18%

2.9

3.05 (0.46)

15%

3.1

3.13 (0.58)

18%

3.1

3.53 (0.47)

13%

3.6

5.6 n.s

39.7***

2 > 1; 3 > 1;

4 > 1, 2, 3

a) Fulfilment

2.95 (0.71)

25%

3.0

3.15 (0.58)

18%

3.2

3.10 (0.75)

24%

3.2

3.41 (0.59)

13%

3.6

10.7*

11.8***

4 > 1, 2, 3

b) Harmony

2.79 (0.74)

26%

3.0

3.12 (0.62)

20%

3.2

3.21 (0.73)

23%

3.4

3.56 (0.67)

19%

3.8

4.9 n.s

28.2***

2 > 1; 3 > 1; 4 > 1, 2, 3

IV: Reconciliation with existence

2.87 (0.68)

24%

3.0

3.13 (0.56)

18%

3.2

3.15 (0.68)

20%

3.3

3.48 (0.55)

15%

3.7

9.7*

22.6***

2 > 1; 3 > 2;

4 > 1, 2, 3

a) Resistance

2.36 (0.53)

22%

2.3

2.07 (0.53)

26%

2.2

2.45 (0.71)

29%

2.5

2.75 (0.68)

25%

2.8

16.1**

29.1***

1 > 2; 3 > 2; 4 > 1, 2, 3

b) Acceptance

2.64 (0.65)

25%

2.7

2.57 (0.64)

25%

2.6

3.00 (0.93)

31%

3.2

3.36 (0.50)

15%

4.0

34.9***

75.7***

3 > 1, 2; 4 > 1, 2, 3

V: Struggle for death acceptance

2.50 (0.43)

17%

2.5

2.34 (0.46)

20%

2.4

2.73 (0.64)

23%

2.8

3.21 (0.45)

14%

3.3

17.2**

82.6***

1 > 2; 3 > 2;

4 > 1, 2, 3

  1. Post hoc power (1-β) when effect size f2  = 0.25, α = 0.05, and critical F = 2.61 is 0.99
  2. N = sample size; M = mean; SD = standard deviation; Vc = Variation coefficient (SD/M) × 100; Md = median (50th percentile); p = level of significance: * < 0.05; ** < 0.01; *** < 0.001; F = F-statistics for the whole model; significant diff. = differences in Scheffé test among the four compared groups are statistically significant
Back to article page

BMC Palliative Care

ISSN: 1472-684X

Contact us