The construction of the multidimensional orientation toward dying and death inventory (MODDI-F).

This article describes the development of a questionnaire for the multidimensional assessment of both the fear of dying and death and the acceptance of dying and death. The Multidimensional Orientation Toward Dying and Death Inventory (MODDI-F) is based on a 2 x 4-dimensional a priori structure. It consists of a factor analytically constructed version with 47 items in 8 subscales. In a German sample (N = 944; 426 men, 513 women; 18-93 years, stratified by age and sex), the internal consistency of the subscales ranges from .82 to .92. With the exception of one subscale, test-retest reliability is satisfactory. Construct validity has been demonstrated. The influence of social desirability is small in women and moderate in men. The available data suggest that MODDI-F provides a comprehensive, differentiated, reliable, and valid measurement of various orientations toward dying and death.