An evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale in a sample of help-seeking men
 
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1
Orygen, Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne
 
2
Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia
 
3
Orygen
 
4
The University of Melbourne
 
5
School of Nursing, University of British Columbia Department of Nursing, The University of Melbourne
 
 
Submission date: 2021-06-23
 
 
Acceptance date: 2021-08-28
 
 
Online publication date: 2022-04-01
 
 
Publication date: 2022-04-01
 
 
Corresponding author
Simon Rice   

Orygen, Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne
 
 
Arch Psych Psych 2022;24(1):22-31
 
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ABSTRACT
Aim of the study:
The Fear of COVID-19 Scale is a widely used measurement tool for related anxieties, however previous studies validating the scale report varying fit indices, often below accepted cut-off points. This suggests re-specification of the scale may be required. The present study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the English-version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale in a population of help-seeking males using exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Subject or material and methods:
Data from 621 males aged 18-80 years (mean=38.23, SD=13.59) was collected via a cross-sectional open online survey. Along with the 7-item Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the PHQ-4 and PROMIS Anger Short Form were used to measure probable anxiety, depression and anger. Data were randomly partitioned into two subsamples and separate factor analyses were conducted with robust CFA corrections applied for non-normality.

Results:
A 4-item single-factor version of the scale was identified reporting excellent model fit (R-RMSEA=.033, R-CFI=.998, R-TFI=.997, SRMR=.012) and good internal consistency (α=.86). Age and probable anxiety effects were observed.

Discussion:
Relative to existing validation studies of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the present study provides improved psychometrics of the 4-item version of the scale, while scale means observed were comparable to other studies.

Conclusions:
This study validates a 4-item version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale to assess related anxieties in a help seeking male population. Future research should seek to validate the 4-item version in other subpopulations.

eISSN:2083-828X
ISSN:1509-2046
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