The Development and Psychometric Testing of the Buddhist Death Acceptance Scale

Authors

  • Sureeporn Thanasilp DNS., RN, Dip. APMSN, Associate Professor, Faculty of Nursing, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand.
  • Lanchasak Akkayagorn M.D., Palliative Care Physician at Cheewabhibaln Center, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thailand.
  • Kanoklekha Suwannapong PhD., RN, Postdoctoral, Faculty of Nursing, Chulalongkorn University, and instructor of Royal Thai Navy College of Nursing, Thailand.
  • Nguyen Hoang Long PhD., RN, Postdoctoral, Faculty of Nursing, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand.
  • Janya Chimluang PhD., RN, Assistance Professor, Srisavarindhira Thai Red Cross Institute of Nursing, Thailand.
  • Rachaneekorn Upasen PhD., RN, Dip. PMHN, Assistance Professor, Faculty of Nursing, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand.
  • Akadet Kedcham PhD., Assistance Professor, Faculty of Education, Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University, Thailand.
  • Doutrich Dawn Liam Ph.D., RN, CNS, Associate Professor, Emeritus Professor of Washington State University College of Nursing, USA.

Keywords:

Acceptance, Buddhists, Cancer, Death, Instrument development, Psychometric Testing

Abstract

               Death acceptance relates to a good death of people. Notably each culture/religion has its own traditions,beliefs,andpractices surrounding death which has been handed down for centuries.Culture/religion creates not only the meaning of death but also often influences how people die.To date the measurement of death acceptance, especially from a religious perspective has not been widely developed.This research was conducted to develop and psychometrically test the Buddhist Death Acceptance Scale for Cancer reflecting Buddhists’ beliefs towards karma and three characteristics of existence.Using a multistage sampling method, Buddhists diagnosed with cancer from six hospitals in four regions of Thailand were recruited into the study from April 2018 to January 2019.Exploratory factor analysis was conducted in the first group of 300 participants.
                 The final version of the questionnaire had 13 items in two components that explained 45.87% ofthe variation of the construct.These two dimensions were:1)acceptance ofthe natural process of death and 2)preparing for death. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed in with230 participants.The results showed that the two-dimension construct of the scale fit with the empirical data.The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.82.In conclusion the Scale demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties to measure death acceptance in Buddhists who are diagnosed with cancer.Nurses and other healthcare professionals can use this scale as a tool for evaluating death acceptance and intervention effectiveness among Thai Buddhists with cancer.In addition next steps include testing the Scale for use with Thai Buddhists at end-of-life with illnesses other than cancer and translating it into other languages to test for use with Buddhists worldwide.

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Published

2020-09-16

How to Cite

1.
Thanasilp S, Akkayagorn L, Suwannapong K, Long NH, Chimluang J, Upasen R, Kedcham A, Liam DD. The Development and Psychometric Testing of the Buddhist Death Acceptance Scale. PRIJNR [Internet]. 2020 Sep. 16 [cited 2024 Nov. 18];24(4):527-3. Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/PRIJNR/article/view/227363

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 4 (2020): October-December, 2020

Section

Original paper

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Copyright: The Pacific Rim International Journal of Nursing Research, Thailand Nursing & Midwifery Council has exclusive rights to publish, reproduce and distribute the manuscript and all contents therein.