Validity and reliability of the persian version of templer death anxiety scale in family caregivers of cancer patients

Abstract

Background:Due to increasing recognition of the importance of death anxiety for understanding human nature, it is important that researchers who investigate death anxiety have reliable and valid methodology to measure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of Templer Death Anxiety Scale (TDAS) in family caregivers of cancer patients.Materials and Methods:A sample of 326 caregivers of cancer patients completed a 15-item questionnaire. Principal components analysis (PCA) followed by a varimax rotation was used to assess factor structure of the DAS. The construct validity of the scale was assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Convergent and discriminant validity were also examined. Reliability was assessed with Cronbach's alpha coefficients and construction reliability.Results:Based on the results of the PCA and consideration of the meaning of our items, a three-factor solution, explaining 60.38% of the variance, was identified. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) then supported the adequacy of the three-domain structure of the DAS. Goodness-of-fit indices showed an acceptable fit overall with the full model {χ2(df) = 262.32 (61), χ2/df = 2.04 [adjusted goodness of fit index (AGFI) = 0.922, parsimonious comparative fit index (PCFI) = 0.703, normed fit Index (NFI) = 0.912, CMIN/DF = 2.048, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.055]}. Convergent and discriminant validity were shown with construct fulfilled. The Cronbach's alpha and construct reliability were greater than 0.70.Conclusions:The findings show that the Persian version of the TDAS has a three-factor structure and acceptable validity and reliability.

Psychometric properties the Iranian version of Older People’s Quality Of Life questionnaire (OPQOL)

“…This study validated this scale by the use of CFA. CFA can evaluate goodness of fit results of factor structure of a scale, which can provide more precise and conclusive evaluation of latent factors [ 44 ]. In the present study, data analysis confirmed that the final model was a good fit.…”

“…The factor of ‘psychological and emotional well-being’ had a Coronbach’s alpha coefficient less than 0.70. Although the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient is enhanced by a large number of items, the high Cronbach’s alpha coefficient observed for the entire measure cannot be interpreted as indicating a unidimensional measure [ 44 ]. Similarly studies reported good internal consistency for the OPQOL in different settings.…”

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

“…[37] Our study differs from previous studies in terms of the number of factors extracted, the distinctive nature of the sample selection, and the unique study environment. [19,21] Researchers have reported that fear of loss of life amongst the factors affecting death anxiety in other samples including caregivers of cancer patients. [21] Such fears relative to loss of life are often activated by personal encounters with patients facing life threatening illnesses.…”

“…[19,21] Researchers have reported that fear of loss of life amongst the factors affecting death anxiety in other samples including caregivers of cancer patients. [21] Such fears relative to loss of life are often activated by personal encounters with patients facing life threatening illnesses. Cognitions associated with death and the anxious preoccupations that follow are common in all societies and cultures, but culturally diverse social and religious institutions manage this awareness in varied modes.…”

“…[18,19] These groups included cancer patients, informal family cancer caregivers, and war veterans. [20,21] This early psychometric evaluation provides a platform that established the TDAS as a satisfactory measure to examine potential death anxiety.…”