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International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction

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Open Access 11-05-2020 | Coronavirus | Original Article

Psychometric Validation of the Bangla Fear of COVID-19 Scale: Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Rasch Analysis

Authors: Najmuj Sakib, A. K. M. Israfil Bhuiyan, Sahadat Hossain, Firoj Al Mamun, Ismail Hosen, Abu Hasnat Abdullah, Md. Abedin Sarker, Mohammad Sarif Mohiuddin, Istihak Rayhan, Moazzem Hossain, Md. Tajuddin Sikder, David Gozal, Mohammad Muhit, S. M. Shariful Islam, Mark D. Griffiths, Amir H. Pakpour, Mohammed A. Mamun, HSC

Published in: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction | Issue 5/2022

Abstract

The recently developed Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) is a seven-item uni-dimensional scale that assesses the severity of fears of COVID-19. Given the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases in Bangladesh, we aimed to translate and validate the FCV-19S in Bangla. The forward-backward translation method was used to translate the English version of the questionnaire into Bangla. The reliability and validity properties of the Bangla FCV-19S were rigorously psychometrically evaluated (utilizing both confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis) in relation to socio-demographic variables, national lockdown variables, and response to the Bangla Health Patient Questionnaire. The sample comprised 8550 Bangladeshi participants. The Cronbach α value for the Bangla FCV-19S was 0.871 indicating very good internal reliability. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis showed that the uni-dimensional factor structure of the FCV-19S fitted well with the data. The FCV-19S was significantly correlated with the nine-item Bangla Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-90) (r = 0.406, p < 0.001). FCV-19S scores were significantly associated with higher worries concerning lockdown. Measurement invariance of the FCV-19S showed no differences with respect to age or gender. The Bangla version of FCV-19S is a valid and reliable tool with robust psychometric properties which will be useful for researchers carrying out studies among the Bangla speaking population in assessing the psychological impact of fear from COVID-19 infection during this pandemic.

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Title: Psychometric Validation of the Bangla Fear of COVID-19 Scale: Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Rasch Analysis
Authors: Najmuj Sakib
A. K. M. Israfil Bhuiyan
Sahadat Hossain
Firoj Al Mamun
Ismail Hosen
Abu Hasnat Abdullah
Md. Abedin Sarker
Mohammad Sarif Mohiuddin
Istihak Rayhan
Moazzem Hossain
Md. Tajuddin Sikder
David Gozal
Mohammad Muhit
S. M. Shariful Islam
Mark D. Griffiths
Amir H. Pakpour
Mohammed A. Mamun, HSC
Publication date: 11-05-2020
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Coronavirus
COVID-19
Anxiety
Published in: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction / Issue 5/2022
Print ISSN: 1557-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1882
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00289-x

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Psychometric Validation of the Bangla Fear of COVID-19 Scale: Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Rasch Analysis

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