Abstract

This study aimed to develop and validate a self-report screening scale to help individuals easily assess their risk of solitary death. We began by conducting a comprehensive literature review and expert consultations to establish the conceptual framework and subdomains of solitary death risk, from which 22 preliminary items were generated. After expert content validity evaluation and a pilot study involving 600 adults from an online panel, eight final items were selected.A main survey with a separate sample of 600 adults was then conducted to evaluate the scale's reliability and validity. The results supported a unidimensional structure comprising the eight items, and confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the modified model demonstrated an overall acceptable fit. The scale exhibited high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .91). Furthermore, the scale showed significant positive correlations with loneliness, social isolation, depression, and anxiety, and significant negative correlations with social network and subjective well-being, thereby supporting both convergent and discriminant validity. Test-retest reliability was also statistically significant, indicating the scale's temporal stability. These findings suggest that the developed scale is a reliable and valid instrument that comprehensively captures the multidimensional nature of solitary death risk. The study's implications, practical applications, and limitations are discussed in detail.