From Confused Reflections to Life Awareness: A Narrative Reconstruction of Death's Significance in the Life World of Higher Education Students

Authors

  • Wang Yanling Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies,City University Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
  • Adenan Ayob Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies,City University Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
  • Zulkeflee Yaacob Faculty of Languages and Communication, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53797/ujssh.v4i1.29.2025

Keywords:

death education, higher education students, narrative research, life’s meaning, inner experiences

Abstract

This study adopts a narrative research approach to investigate the inner experiences and meaning-making processes of higher education students when confronted with the subject of death. Through in-depth interviews with five participants, the study uncovers the cognitive and emotional progression that higher education students undergo in engaging with death-related topics. This progression spans from initial confusion and avoidance to gradually understanding and accepting death, ultimately leading to an awakening of life’s significance. The findings reveal that discussions about death not only evoke emotional reactions but also facilitate the construction of personal meaning within the narrative of death. This research provides fresh insights into death education and psychological counseling for higher education students, offering practical guidance for the effective implementation of death education initiatives.

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Published

2025-02-22

How to Cite

Yanling, W. ., Ayob, A., & Yaacob, Z. (2025). From Confused Reflections to Life Awareness: A Narrative Reconstruction of Death’s Significance in the Life World of Higher Education Students. Uniglobal Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 4(1), 238–245. https://doi.org/10.53797/ujssh.v4i1.29.2025