Convergent and Discriminant Validity of Self-Report Death Scales

Abstract

This research was a multitrait-multimethod investigation of the convergent and discriminant validity of seven self-report death scales, each designed to measure one of three death-related attitudes. These attitudes relate to one's own death, reaction to reminders of death, and reluctance to interact with the dying. A structured, but open-ended interview schedule was developed to measure these same attitudes. College students at two universities completed the scales and were then interviewed. Application of Campbell and Fiske's multitrait-multimethod validation model indicated there was moderate support for the convergent and discriminant validity of three of the seven scales. Further analyses indicated that these three measures most effectively discriminated respondents at the extremes of the distribution of scale scores.