A CONFIRMATORY FACTOR-ANALYSIS OF THE THREAT INDEX

The Threat Index (TI), a measure of death concern grounded in personal construct theory, was submitted to psychometric refinement. The factorability of the TI using the traditional split-match scoring was compared with methods based on Manhattan, Euclidian, standardized Euclidian, and Mahalanobis distance formulas. Statistical and substantive interpretability were enhanced with the standardized Euclidian factor structure. The LISREL VI program was used to determine the best model for the scale in an exploratory factor analysis. A nonhierarchical, G + 3 model met the criterion of goodness of fit > 0.9 for the 1st subsample (n = 405). In a confirmatory factor analysis with a 2nd subsample (n = 405), the model was confirmed. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were acceptable for Global Threat and 3 subfactors-Threat to Well-Being, Uncertainty, and Fatalism-and all subfactors were found to be independent of social desirability.