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Development of an Instrument Measuring Existential Authenticity

Richmond, Misty M
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1566-0509
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1439306443

Abstract Details

2015, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Nursing: Nursing - Doctoral Program.
Abstract The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument to measure existential authenticity in adults. Existential authenticity was defined as awareness of the existential givens in the human experience as defined by Irvin Yalom. This construct is theorized as the goal of existential psychotherapy, which is a meaning-centered psychotherapy aligned with the purpose of providing clients with the tools to cope with life’s negativities and live a meaningful life. Many diagnostic conditions, including depression, psychological trauma, and anxiety, are conceptualized as amenable to the benefits of existential psychotherapy and the journey towards existential authenticity. A review of the literature revealed that an instrument for measuring existential authenticity did not exist. An initial pool of test items was developed using Yalom’s definitions. Content validity was determined by expert input and the resulting 49-item survey was administered online to 222 test subjects. Recruitment was conducted via post card mailed to a random sample of the Greater Cincinnati Geographic Region. Participants were predominantly female (77.5%), Caucasian (81.5%), married (56.7%), well educated (23.9% with a graduate or professional degree), and with a mean age of 45.3. Factor analysis revealed one factor consistent with the theoretical underpinnings of the work, captured in a 12-item index. Internal consistency reliability in the current sample was good (a = .871). Evaluation of the psychometric properties demonstrated a promising index although further development is required. The data are consistent with an instrument in the beginning stages of development.
Denise Gormley, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Christine Hovanitz, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Elaine Miller, Ph.D.R.N. (Committee Member)
107 p.
Nursing
existential; authenticity; scale development; awareness; psychological theory

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Richmond, M. M. (2015). Development of an Instrument Measuring Existential Authenticity [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1439306443

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Richmond, Misty. Development of an Instrument Measuring Existential Authenticity. 2015. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1439306443.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Richmond, Misty. "Development of an Instrument Measuring Existential Authenticity." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1439306443

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1439306443
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© 2015, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.
Release 3.2.12