Investigating the Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Scherr Existential Thinking Scale

Existential thinking is defined as the tendency to explore the fundamental question of existence and is the candidate for inclusion as a ninth intelligence in the classification of Gardner's multiple intelligences, Due to the lack of a valid tools for measuring the structure of existential thinking in Iranian society, this study was designed to examine the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the existential thinking scale.

a total of 250 subjects were selected from students in Al-Zahra and Shahed Universities in the academic year 2016-2017, using convenience sampling method. All participants completed the existential thinking scale (SET), death anxiety scale (DAS), existential anxiety questionnaire and spiritual intelligence self-report inventory (SISRI-24). Data analysis were performed by factor analysis, Pearson correlation and Cronbach's alpha coefficient in SPSS V.23.

Factor structure was assessed using the exploratory factor analysis. one factor was obtained for SET. The reliability of the scale was assessed using Cronbach alpha and test re-test reliability coefficient. The Cronbach alpha value was 0.88 and the test re-test coefficient was 0.75. Morever, using the Pearson correlation coefficien, significant relationship were found between the score of SET and scores of existential anxiety questionnaire and all subscales of spritual intelligence, indicating the convergent and divergent validity of the inventory.

SET enjoys acceptable psychometric properties regarding the ease of administration, scoring, and interpretation, as well as the suitable validity and reliability of the scale. thus, researcher can safely use it in their studies.