Death Attitude Profile-Revised (DAP-R)

Wong, P.T.P., Reker, G.T., & Gesser, G.

This questionnaire contains a number of statements related to different attitudes toward death. Read each statement carefully, and then decide the extent to which you agree or disagree. For example, an item might read: “Death is a friend.” Indicate how well you agree or disagree by circling one of the following: SA = strongly agree; A= agree; MA= moderately agree; U= undecided; MD= moderately disagree; D=disagree; SD= strongly disagree. Note that the scales run both from strongly agree to strongly disagree and from strongly disagree to strongly agree. If you strongly agreed with the statement, you would circle SA. If you strongly disagreed you would circle SD. If you are undecided, circle U. However, try to use the undecided category sparingly. It is important that you work through the statements and answer each one. Many of the statements will seem alike, but all are necessary to show slight differences in attitudes.

Question 1

Death is no doubt a grim experience.

Question 2

The prospects of my own death arouses anxiety in me.

Question 3

I avoid death thoughts at all costs.

Question 4

I believe that I will be in heaven after I die.

Question 5

Death will bring an end to all my troubles.

Question 6

Death should be viewed as a natural, undeniable, and unavoidable event.

Question 7

I am disturbed by the finality of death.

Question 8

Death is an entrance to a place of ultimate satisfaction.

Question 9

Death provides an escape from this terrible world.

Question 10

Whenever the thought of death enters my mind, I try to push it away.

Question 11

Death is deliverance from pain and suffering.

Question 12

I always try not to think about death.

Question 13

I believe that heaven will be a much better place than this world.

Question 14

Death is a natural aspect of life.

Question 15

Death is a union with God and eternal bliss.

Question 16

Death brings a promise of a new and glorious life.

Question 17

I would neither fear death nor welcome it.

Question 18

I have an intense fear of death.

Question 19

I avoid thinking about death altogether.

Question 20

The subject of life after death troubles me greatly.

Question 21

The fact that death will mean the end of everything as I know it frightens me.

Question 22

I look forward to a reunion with my loved ones after I die.

Question 23

I view death as a relief from earthly suffering.

Question 24

Death is simply a part of the process of life.

Question 25

I see death as a passage to an eternal and blessed place.

Question 26

I try to have nothing to do with the subject of death.

Question 27

Death offers a wonderful release of the soul.

Question 28

One thing that gives me comfort in facing death is my belief in the afterlife.

Question 29

I see death as a relief from the burden of this life.

Question 30

Death is neither good nor bad.

Question 31

I look forward to life after death.

Question 32

The uncertainty of not knowing what happens after death worries me.

For further information on the theoretical rationale and the psychometric properties of the scale consult the following source: 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). Washington, DC: Taylor & Francis. For information on the original DAP, consult the following source: Gesser, G., Wong, PT.P., & Reker, G.T. (1987-88). Death attitudes across the life span: The development and validation of the Death Attitude Profile (DAP). Omega, 18, 113-128.