Abstract
The aims of this study were to construct a Scale of Attitudes towards Life and Death for Adulthood and to examine the factors that influence adults' attitudes towards life and death. In Study One, factor analysis of data obtained for 261 adults revealed five factors: Fear of Death, Purpose of Life, Belief in an Afterlife, Relationship of Life and Death, and Concern for Others after Death. The internal consistency of Cronbach's α coefficients showed that the scale had a high reliability. In addition, the construct validity of the scale was supported by the positive correlation of the scores of a Purpose of Life with the score of the Fulfillment Sentiment Scale and the scores of Belief in Afterlife with the score of a Scales of Japanese Folk Religious Belief. Thus in Study Two, the questionnaire was administered to 465 participants in their twenties to fifties and the Bereavement experience influences adults' Attitudes towards Life and Death was examined. Results of ANOVAs showed that their adulthood with Bereavement experience showed higher scores of Fear of Death than their middle age. Finally, the need for a future study of attitude towards life and death in adulthood was discussed.
