Fear of Death Test (CL-FODS)

The Collett-Lester Fear of Death Scale (CL-FODS) was originally developed by L. Collett and David Lester and subsequently revised in 1990 to provide a more nuanced measurement of death anxiety. Earlier psychological measures often treated the fear of death as a single, uniform construct, missing the crucial distinction between the state of death itself and the actual process of dying. Collett and Lester recognized that an individual might feel calm about being dead yet experience intense anxiety about the physical pain of dying, or worry deeply about losing loved ones while remaining peaceful about their own mortality. By separating these personal and interpersonal dimensions, the scale established a multidimensional framework that remains one of the most widely cited tools in contemporary thanatology and health psychology.

This assessment evaluates four distinct facets of death anxiety based on the framework of the CL-FODS. Death of Self measures anxiety regarding the absolute end of your own existence, including concerns over the shortness of life, isolation, and missing out on the future. Dying of Self focuses on the physical and psychological process of your own mortality, such as lingering illness, severe physical pain, or cognitive degeneration. Death of Others captures the emotional grief and sense of loss associated with losing people close to you, facing their absence, and confronting the finality of their passing. Finally, Dying of Others measures the distress caused by watching someone you care about suffer through a terminal condition or having to navigate painful conversations about their impending end.

Decades of empirical research utilizing the CL-FODS have revealed complex patterns in how individuals relate to mortality across different life stages and contexts. Research demonstrates that death anxiety is not a static trait; rather, it fluctuates across the lifespan, often peaking in young adulthood before stabilizing or decreasing in later years. Furthermore, studies show that the four dimensions frequently diverge within the same individual. For instance, many adults report significantly higher distress regarding the physical suffering of loved ones than about their own ultimate non-existence. Factors such as personal coping strategies, religious or philosophical beliefs, occupational exposure to illness, and prior experiences with bereavement all play significant roles in shaping these distinct fears.

Alongside your results, the chart displays population comparison markers to help place your scores in a broader context. These population comparison markers are estimated reference values rescaled from published research samples using the original scale, rather than validated percentile norms or standardized rankings for this specific online test. They are designed to serve as a general point of reference to show where typical adult scores tend to fall, providing a helpful backdrop for understanding your profile rather than an absolute judgment.

Experiencing discomfort or quiet reflection when considering mortality is a normal human response, and an elevated score on any facet simply highlights areas of heightened sensitivity. This test is provided exclusively for educational and self-reflection purposes and does not constitute a clinical assessment or psychological diagnosis. This assessment is based on the Collett-Lester Fear of Death Scale (CL-FODS) and is not affiliated with L. Collett, David Lester, Stockton University, or their institutions. If anxieties surrounding death or loss are causing you significant distress or interfering with your daily functioning, speaking with a compassionate mental health professional can provide valuable guidance and support.

References

• Lester, D. (1990). The collett-lester fear of death scale: The original version and a revision. Death Studies, 14(5), 451-468.