An evaluation of the hierarchical factor structure of the Persian-translated death anxiety scale in nursing students of Iran

Abstract

Background/Objective: Clinical nurse educators globally have recognized the prominent necessity of evaluating for death anxiety in students, and adopting curriculum that provides education about death and dying. Reliable assessment tools are needed to evaluate death anxiety in the student population.  The study evaluates the hierarchical factor structure of the Persian-translated Templer’s Death Anxiety Scale (TDAS) in nursing students from Iran.

Methods: A repeated measures standard psychometric analysis was conducted. In total 400 undergraduate and graduate nursing students from a major university campus in Sari, Iran finished the Persian translated 15-item TDAS. Construct validity was assessed. Reliability was tested using Cronbach’s Alpha (α), Theta (θ), and McDonald’s Omega (Ω) coefficients.

Results: Exploratory factor analysis (N = 200) indicated the TDAS had two factors (Fear of loss of life; Fear to face death). Model fitness indicators confirmed two independent TDAS structure levels. The Cronbach’s alpha, Theta, McDonald, and construct reliability were larger than .70.

Conclusions: Study outcomes corroborated acceptable psychometric properties and factor structure for the TDAS in a sample of Iranian nursing students. Findings suggest that the scale can be utilized for reliable and valid educational evaluation of death anxiety in Iranian nursing students.