Validation of Collett-Lester's Fear of Death Scale in a sample of nursing students

• Published in: Revista latino-americana de enfermagem Vol. 19; no. 5; pp. 1171 - 1180
• Main Authors: Venegas, Maritza Espinoza, Alvarado, Olivia Sanhueza, Barriga, Omar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto / Universidade de São Paulo 01-09-2011
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Attitude to Death; Fear; Female; Humans; Male; NURSING; Psychometrics; Students, Nursing - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; Muerte; Validade; Medo; Scales; Fiabilidad; Morte; Validez; Fear; Validity; Death; Miedo; Reliability; Escalas; Confiabilidade
• ISSN: 0104-1169; 1518-8345; 1518-8345; 0104-1169
• DOI: 10.1590/S0104-11692011000500015

This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of Collett-Lester's Fear of Death Scale. A sample of 349 nursing students answered Fear of Death and Attitude toward death scales. Content validity was checked by expert review; reliability was proven using Cronbach's alpha; statistical analysis of the items, correlation between items and construct validity were checked by the correlation of the Scale with the Attitude toward death Scale. The multidimensionality of the scale was reviewed through factor analysis with varimax rotation. The Fear of Death Scale possesses good internal consistency and construct validity, confirmed by the significant correlation with the Attitude toward death Scale. Factor analysis partially supports content validity of the subscale items, but presented a modified multidimensional structure that points towards the reconceptualization of the subscales in this sample.