Date of Award
5-1-2020
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Behavior Analysis and Therapy
First Advisor
Dixon, Mark
Abstract
The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the relationship between discounting immediate and former life statuses prior to death related to quality of life across the lifespan. A discounting survey was completed by 83 participants in which they were asked to make hypothetical choices regarding returning back to an age they preferred or remaining at their current age prior to dying. In addition, participants completed surveys measuring quality of life, death depression, and death anxiety. Results indicated that participants who reported low quality of life and experienced high depression and anxiety towards death responded more impulsively to the discounting survey, engaging in steeper discounting. Additionally, results indicated that a positive correlation between participants aged 30 to 50 years old and AUC exists, indicating that as age increases, impulsivity decreases. However, this same trend was not evident in participants over the age of 65, yielding no correlation. Strengths and limitations, implications of the current study’s findings, and opportunities for future research are discussed.
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