Abstract

The current study aimed to develop and validate the psychological autopsy manual (K-PAM). Two studies were designed and conducted for this study. In study 1, the first version of K-PAM was composed. For this purpose, items and rating systems from preceding domestic and international research were explored and consulted. Sixty items were finally selected from the first preliminary version through expert discussion. In study 2, the validity and reliability of K-PAM were specifically investigated by using 37 psychological autopsy cases. As a result, the criterion-related-validity was verified by examining correlations with two criterion scales. Second, the interrater reliability (ICC) was also supported. Third, the test-retest validity showed an acceptable level. Finally, the results of the G study showed that the items had a significant effect on total score as a measurement error. The D study also indicated that at least 4 assessors were required to get an acceptable level of the based dependency coefficient. This study is of great value since it presented a psychological autopsy tool that is confirmed in terms of reliability and validity by reflecting standardized characteristics(Conner et al., 2022).