The Multidimensional Mortality Awareness Measure and Model:Development and Validation of a New Self-Report Questionnaire and Psychological Framework

Article

Levasseur, Oona, Mcdermott, M. and Lafreniere, Kathryn D. 2015. The Multidimensional Mortality Awareness Measure and Model:Development and Validation of a New Self-Report Questionnaire and Psychological Framework. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying. 70 (3), pp. 317-341. https://doi.org/10.1177/0030222815569440
AuthorsLevasseur, Oona, Mcdermott, M. and Lafreniere, Kathryn D.
Abstract

For each of eight literature-identified conceptual dimensions of mortality awareness, questionnaire items were generated, producing 89 in all. A total of 359 participants responded to these items and to questionnaires measuring health attitudes, risk taking, rebelliousness, and demographic variables. Multivariate correlational analyses investigated the underlying structure of the item pool and the construct validity as well as the reliability of the emergent empirically derived subscales. Five components, rather than eight, were identified. Given the item content of each, the associated mortality awareness subscales were labeled as legacy, fearfulness, acceptance, disempowerment, and disengagement. Each attained an acceptable level of internal reliability. Relationships with other variables supported the construct validity of these empirically derived subscales and more generally of this five-factor model. In conclusion, this new multidimensional measure and model of mortality awareness extends our understanding of this important aspect of human existence and supports a more integrative and optimistic approach to mortality awareness than previously available.

JournalOmega: Journal of Death and Dying
Journal citation70 (3), pp. 317-341
ISSN0030-2228
1541-3764
Year2015
PublisherSAGE Publications for Association Death Education Counseling (ADEC)
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/0030222815569440
Web address (URL)https://doi.org/10.1177/0030222815569440
Publication dates
Print01 Feb 2015
Publication process dates
Deposited01 Mar 2017
Copyright information© The authors 2015.
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