Extended Abstract
1. Objectives
The aging population is growing rapidly and will naturally face various challenges. Addressing these challenges and solving the problems of this group is of great importance. One of the most important challenges of aging is death anxiety, which can negatively affect health and prevent older adults from having a proper aging period [1]. Data are controversial about the role of social support as one of the main factors associated with death anxiety [2]. Furthermore, having gratitude is important in improving the elderly’s lives, and can reduce death anxiety [1]. Most studies in this field have been conducted in the United States, and only a few have been conducted in Asian countries, including Iran [3]. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between gratitude and social support, and death anxiety in older adults.
2. Methods and Materials
This was a descriptive correlational study. The study population consisted of all bedroom independent seniors of Kahrizak Charity Foundation in Tehran Province, Iran (N=515). Using a stratified sampling method and based on the inclusion criteria, 220 people were selected as study samples. For collecting data, three questionnaires were used, as follows: 1. Gratitude Questionnaire-6 (GQ-6), which is a 6-item self-report inventory designed by McCullough et al. [4]; it assesses individual differences in the tendency to experience gratitude in daily life. The items are measured on a 7-point Likert-type Scale; 2. Death Anxiety Scale (DAS), developed by Templer [5]. It has 15 items assessing the attitude of respondents towards death where they answer questions with yes or no; 3. Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, developed by Zimet et al. that measures perceived social support from three sources of family, friends, and a significant other [6]. It has 12 items measured on a 5-point Likert-type scale ranging from 1= strongly disagree to 5= strongly agree. To analyze the collected data, descriptive statistics and statistical tests, including Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis were used in SPSS. To observe ethical guidelines, written informed consent was obtained from the study participants. This study has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Razi University.

3. Results
Pearson’s correlation coefficient results (Table 1) suggested that death anxiety had a negative significant correlation with having gratitude and perceived social support in older adults (P<0.001). Moreover, regression analysis results revealed that gratitude and perceived social support can significantly predict death anxiety in older adults (P<0.001). These two variables could both predict 46% of the variance in death anxiety. The linear regression equation using the standardized beta coefficient is as follows: 
Death anxiety=20.80-0.472 (gratitude)-0.354 (perceived social support)
4. Conclusion
Death anxiety in older adults had an association with gratitude and perceived social support. Accordingly, death anxiety in these people can be predicted based on their gratitude level and perceived social support. Gratitude had a higher effect than perceived social support. Gratitude is a new concept in positivism, and more feasible than social support and dependent on individuals. Therefore, it can be used to improve well-being and reduce death anxiety among older adults. The obtained results can help in reducing death anxiety in this group.
Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
In order to observe ethical codes, written informed consent was obtained from all elderly participants in the research. Also, this research was finalized in the dissertation committee of Razi University of Kermanshah and the Ethics Committee of Razi University approved it.
Funding
This article was funded by the researcher project "Elderly, Second Half of the Life" at Razi University. The present article was extracted from the dissertation of the MA. thesis of Saba Poordad in Departmant of General Psychology in Razi University of Kermanshah.

Authors contributions
Conceptualization, Methodology, Validation, Analysis, Research, Resource, Writing, Drafting, Writing, Visualization, Project Management: All Authors; Supervision: Khademorad Momeni, Jahangir Karami; Financing: Khademorad Momeni, Saba Pourdad
Conflict of Interest
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgements
The authors of the article thank the Ministry of Public Health of Tehran province, the staff of the Kahrizak nursing home, especially all the elderly residents of Kahrizak nursing home who have helped us in conducting this study.