Validation of the Spanish Version of Fear of COVID-19 Scale: its Association with Acute Stress and Coping its Association with Acute Stress and Coping.

The COVID-19 is a "unique" stressor, which can produce physical and psychological trauma. Coping styles can buffer this psychological impact. Consequently, this paper aims to psychometrically adapt the Fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S) to Spanish and examines the relationships between FCV-19S, stress response, and coping strategies. The sample comprised a convenience sample of 1146 participants (12-83 years), 880 from Spain (76.8%), and 266 from Dominican Republic (23.2%). Overall, the findings support a one-factor structure for FCV-19S, consisting of 7-items, and was invariant across age, sex, occupational status, and cross-national. Therefore, indicating evidences of construct validity. Evidences of reliability were also observed (Cronbach's α = .86, McDonald's ω = .86, Guttmann's λ6 = .86, greatest lower bound = .91, composite reliability = .85, and average variance extracted = .44). Moreover, as regards criterion-related validity, the mediation analysis indicated that the relationship between FCV-19S and acute stress was positive and high, with maladaptive coping styles mediating the relationship, and with a stronger mediation for men. The findings give evidences of the reliability and validity of the Spanish version of FCV-19S among Spanish-speaker participants, which provides the chance of cross-cultural studies.

Correction to: Validation of the Spanish Version of Fear of COVID-19 Scale: its Association with Acute Stress and Coping.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s11469-021-00615-x.].

Validation of the Spanish Version of Fear of COVID-19 Scale: its Association with Acute Stress and Coping its Association with Acute Stress and Coping

The COVID-19 is a “unique” stressor, which can produce physical and psychological trauma. Coping styles can buffer this psychological impact. Consequently, this paper aims to psychometrically adapt the Fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S) to Spanish and examines the relationships between FCV-19S, stress response, and coping strategies. The sample comprised a convenience sample of 1146 participants (12–83 years), 880 from Spain (76.8%), and 266 from Dominican Republic (23.2%). Overall, the findings support a one-factor structure for FCV-19S, consisting of 7-items, and was invariant across age, sex, occupational status, and cross-national. Therefore, indicating evidences of construct validity. Evidences of reliability were also observed (Cronbach’s α = .86, McDonald’s ω = .86, Guttmann’s λ6 = .86, greatest lower bound = .91, composite reliability = .85, and average variance extracted = .44). Moreover, as regards criterion-related validity, the mediation analysis indicated that the relationship between FCV-19S and acute stress was positive and high, with maladaptive coping styles mediating the relationship, and with a stronger mediation for men. The findings give evidences of the reliability and validity of the Spanish version of FCV-19S among Spanish-speaker participants, which provides the chance of cross-cultural studies.

Adolescence and emerging adulthood facing COVID-19 in Spain and the Dominican Republic

COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact worldwide. The aim of this study is to analyze the psychological impact during confinement on adolescents and emerging adults. The convenience sample is composed by (n = 399) residents of Spain and the Dominican Republic (DR). The age range is 12 to 29 years old (M = 22.57;SD = 3.67). The assessment was conducted online, with the following instruments: an ad hoc survey to measure socio-demographic variables, Fear of COVID-19 Scale, Impact of Event Scale-Revised, The Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experience and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The results show differences by age, sex and residence. Adults reported more fear of COVID-19 (p < .05) and acute stress than adolescents (p < .01), more fear and stress in women than men (p < .01) and more fear to the disease in residents of the DR than in Spain (p < .01). Linear regression analysis showed that fear of COVID-19 was a good predictor of acute stress. In conclusion, it is suggested to expand the study in these populations in situations of stress, specifically the one derived from COVID-19, that allow the prevention of acute stress and training in adaptive coping strategies in the face of crisis situations. Copyright © 2020 RPCNA.

Adolescence and emerging adulthood in the face of COVID-19 in Spain and the Dominican Republic

Adolescence and emerging adulthood facing COVID-19 in Spain and the Dominican Republic. COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact worldwide. The aim of this study is to analyze the psychological impact during confinement on adolescents and emerging adults. The convenience sample is composed by (n = 399) residents of Spain and the Dominican Republic (DR). The age range is 12 to 29 years old (M = 22.57;SD = 3.67). The assessment was conducted online, with the following instruments: an ad hoc survey to measure socio-demographic variables, Fear of COVID-19 Scale, Impact of Event Scale-Revised, The Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experience and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The results show differences by age, sex and residence. Adults reported more fear of COVID-19 (p < .05) and acute stress than adolescents (p < .01). more fear and stress in women than men (p < .01) and more fear to the disease in residents of the DR than in Spain (p < .01). Linear regression analysis showed that fear of COVID-19 was a good predictor of acute stress. In conclusion, it is suggested to expand the study in these populations in situations of stress, specifically the one derived from COVID-19, that allow the prevention of acute stress and training in adaptive coping strategies in the face of crisis situations.

Validation of the Spanish version of Fear of COVID-19 Scale: Its association with acute stress and coping (preprint)

Background The COVID-19 is a “unique” stressor, which can produce physical and psychological trauma. Coping styles can buffer this psychological impact. Consequently, this paper aims to psychometrically adapt the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) to Spanish and examines the relationships between FCV-19S, stress response and coping strategies.Methods The sample comprised a convenience sample of 1146 participants (12-83 years), 880 from Spain (76.8%) and 266 from Dominican Republic (23.2%).Results Overall, the findings support a one-factor structure for FCV-19S, consisting of  7-items, and was invariant across age, sex, occupational status and cross-national. Therefore, indicating evidences of construct validity. Evidences of reliability were also observed (Cronbach’s α = .86, McDonald’s ω = .86, Guttmann’s λ6 = .86, Greatest lower bound = .91, composite reliability = .85, and Average Variance Extracted = .44). Moreover, as regards criterion-related validity, the mediation analysis indicated that the relationship between FCV-19S and acute stress was positive and high, with maladaptive coping styles mediating the relationship, and with a stronger mediation for men.Conclusion The findings give evidences of the reliability and validity of the Spanish version of FCV-19S among Spanish-speaker participants, which provides the chance of cross-cultural studies.