Description

The Death Acceptance Scale (DAS) is a psychometric tool developed to measure the acceptance of death, that is, the extent to which an individual accepts the idea of death as a natural part of life. This tool provides insights into how people perceive and approach the concept of mortality.

Objective

The primary goal of the DAS is the quantitative assessment of death acceptance in individuals. It helps researchers and clinicians understand how the acceptance of death may affect individuals’ mental and physical health, behaviors, perceptions, and overall quality of life.

Analysis

The scale consists of a series of questions that ask participants to evaluate the degree to which they agree or disagree with various statements regarding the acceptance of death. Responses are usually rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree, 5 = Strongly Agree).

Calibration

The calibration of DAS is based on participants’ responses. The scores for each question are summed to provide a total score. Higher scores indicate a greater acceptance of death. The data can be analyzed to compare death acceptance levels across different populations or to study the effects of various factors on the acceptance of death.

References

Wong, P. T. P., Reker, G. T., & Gesser, G. (1994). “Death Attitude Profile-Revised: A multidimensional measure of attitudes toward death.” In R. A. Neimeyer (Ed.), Death anxiety handbook: Research, instrumentation, and application (pp. 121-148). Taylor & Francis.
Neimeyer, R. A., & Moore, M. K. (1994). “Validity and reliability of the Multidimensional Fear of Death Scale.” In R. A. Neimeyer (Ed.), Death anxiety handbook: Research, instrumentation, and application (pp. 103-119). Taylor & Francis.
Wong, P. T. P. (2000). “Meaning management theory and death acceptance.” In A. Tomer (Ed.), Death attitudes and the older adult: Theories, concepts, and applications (pp. 23-42). Brunner-Routledge.
Neimeyer, R. A., Wittkowski, J., & Moser, R. P. (2004). “Psychological research on death attitudes: An overview and evaluation.” Death Studies, 28(4), 309-340.