Death Anxiety Scales: A Dialogue

Abstract

Death anxiety scales have established themselves as the most frequently used type of instrument in studies of attitudes toward death-related topics. Two researchers who have contributed significantly to the development and utilization of this approach discuss its origins, uses, results, limitations, and future, along with comments regarding the place of death anxiety scales in their own lives and careers. David Lester is the author of the first critical survey of death anxiety measures, and has developed his own scales and conducted numerous studies in the realms of suicide as well as the fear of death [1]. Donald Templer developed his Death Anxiety Scale (DAS) in response to Lester's critique of existing measures [2, 3]. The DAS has been used extensively by Templer and his colleagues as well as many other researchers.