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Revised Death Anxiety Scale
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About Revised Death Anxiety Scale
Scale Name
Revised Death Anxiety Scale
Author Details
James A. Thorson and F. C. Powell
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Revised Death Anxiety Scale (RDAS) is a psychological tool designed to assess an individual’s level of anxiety related to the concept of death. Developed by James A. Thorson and F. C. Powell in 1992, the scale is an improvement upon earlier measures of death anxiety, offering enhanced reliability and validity.
This 25-item scale focuses on multidimensional aspects of death anxiety, including fear of the unknown, concern for the dying process, and personal fears about the cessation of life. Each item is rated on a Likert scale, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety. The RDAS is widely used in clinical settings, research on death-related attitudes, and studies exploring cultural or demographic differences in death anxiety.
The RDAS provides valuable insights for mental health professionals working with individuals experiencing existential concerns, terminal illnesses, or significant life changes. Its simplicity and specificity make it a popular choice for both clinical and academic research.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy: Access the RDAS through the original publication or authorized sources.
- Explain the purpose: Let participants know the scale measures their thoughts and feelings about death and related concerns.
- Provide instructions: Ask individuals to respond to each statement based on their level of agreement using the provided Likert scale.
- Approximate time: The scale takes about 10–15 minutes to complete.
- Administer the scale: Ensure privacy and create a supportive environment for honest responses.
Reliability and Validity
- Reliability: The RDAS demonstrates strong internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values reported around 0.92.
- Validity: The scale exhibits excellent construct and criterion validity, correlating significantly with other measures of death-related anxiety and psychological distress. It has been widely validated in diverse populations and contexts.
Available Versions
25-Items
Reference
- Thorson, J. A., & Powell, F. C. (1992). A revised death anxiety scale. Death Studies, 16(6), 507–521. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481189208252595
- Neimeyer, R. A. (1994). Death anxiety and its role in psychopathology: Reviewing the evidence. In R. A. Neimeyer (Ed.), Death anxiety handbook: Research, instrumentation, and application (pp. 3–30). Washington, DC: Taylor & Francis.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What does the RDAS measure?
It measures levels of anxiety and fear associated with death and dying.
Q2: Who can use the RDAS?
It is suitable for researchers, clinicians, and mental health professionals studying death anxiety.
Q3: How is the RDAS scored?
Scores are calculated by summing responses on the Likert scale, with higher scores indicating greater death anxiety.
Q4: Can the RDAS be used cross-culturally?
While primarily validated in Western populations, adaptations for cross-cultural research are available.
Q5: Is the RDAS suitable for all age groups?
It is most commonly used with adults and may require modifications for use with adolescents or older adults.
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