Construct Validity of the Revised Collett-Lester Fear of Death and Dying Scale

Abstract

The construct validity of the Revised Collett-Lester Fear of Death and Dying Scale was examined in three separate studies. Study 1 (N=106) found substantial relationships between the Collett-Lester subscales and the subscales of the Multidimensional Fear of Death and Dying Scale. High test-retest reliabilities of the subscales over a six-week period were also observed. Study 2 (N=268) examined the sensitivity of the subscales to an intervention designed to change attitudes to death and dying. Statistically significant changes in three of the four subscales were found over a 14-week period. Study 3 examined the factor structure of the scale using exploratory and confirmatory techniques. Two of the subscales could be recovered from analyses at the item level but there was little support for the four factor model that guided test construction.

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