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International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction

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Open Access 27-03-2020 | Coronavirus | Brief Communication

The Fear of COVID-19 Scale: Development and Initial Validation

Authors: Daniel Kwasi Ahorsu, Chung-Ying Lin, Vida Imani, Mohsen Saffari, Mark D. Griffiths, Amir H. Pakpour

Published in: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction | Issue 3/2022

Abstract

Background

The emergence of the COVID-19 and its consequences has led to fears, worries, and anxiety among individuals worldwide. The present study developed the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) to complement the clinical efforts in preventing the spread and treating of COVID-19 cases.

Methods

The sample comprised 717 Iranian participants. The items of the FCV-19S were constructed based on extensive review of existing scales on fears, expert evaluations, and participant interviews. Several psychometric tests were conducted to ascertain its reliability and validity properties.

Results

After panel review and corrected item-total correlation testing, seven items with acceptable corrected item-total correlation (0.47 to 0.56) were retained and further confirmed by significant and strong factor loadings (0.66 to 0.74). Also, other properties evaluated using both classical test theory and Rasch model were satisfactory on the seven-item scale. More specifically, reliability values such as internal consistency (α = .82) and test–retest reliability (ICC = .72) were acceptable. Concurrent validity was supported by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (with depression, r = 0.425 and anxiety, r = 0.511) and the Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Scale (with perceived infectability, r = 0.483 and germ aversion, r = 0.459).

Conclusion

The Fear of COVID-19 Scale, a seven-item scale, has robust psychometric properties. It is reliable and valid in assessing fear of COVID-19 among the general population and will also be useful in allaying COVID-19 fears among individuals.

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Title: The Fear of COVID-19 Scale: Development and Initial Validation
Authors: Daniel Kwasi Ahorsu
Chung-Ying Lin
Vida Imani
Mohsen Saffari
Mark D. Griffiths
Amir H. Pakpour
Publication date: 27-03-2020
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Coronavirus
Affective Disorder
Affective Disorder
COVID-19
Anxiety
Published in: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction / Issue 3/2022
Print ISSN: 1557-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1882
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00270-8

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The Fear of COVID-19 Scale: Development and Initial Validation

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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