ABSTRACT
There were two broad goals pertaining to attitude strength that were explored in this dissertation. First, research and theory have suggested that many of the traditionally examined subjective attitude properties are distinct constructs. Yet, many attitude properties conceptually overlap with one another. In order to better understand the landscape of attitude properties, I examined the factor analytic structure of a comprehensive set of attitude strength antecedents. Participants reported attitudes toward the topic of GMOs (Study 1) or toward a topic they identified as important to them (Studies 2-6) and various subjective properties of their attitudes. In Studies 1-3, exploratory factor analyses revealed that the various strength antecedents reflected a two-factor structure that differentiated properties relating to an attitude's embeddedness in one's core values and identity from properties reflecting a consistency or entrenchment in an attitude. In Studies 4-6, confirmatory factor analyses determined that, in addition to the over-arching two-factor structure, including 'minor factors' reflecting each attitude property further improved model fit (see Appendix F for a summary of the indices of fit for each study). I therefore propose a hybrid model, wherein the various attitude properties form an over-arching two-factor structure in which each major factor includes additional 'minor' constructs. Across studies, moral basis loaded highly on an embeddedness factor along with values basis (all studies), importance (Studies 4-6), affective and cognitive meta-bases (Studies 5-6), self-definition, and subjective attitude strength (Study 6). The consistency factor was composed of subjective ambivalence (all studies), correctness, clarity (Studies 1-4), attitude-relevant knowledge (Studies 4-6), and certainty (Studies 5-6).The second goal of this dissertation was to understand, given the factor structure of the subjective attitude properties, which behavioral outcomes are better predicted by embeddedness versus consistency. I took an exploratory approach examining a variety of different behavioral domains, and found that attitude embeddedness (vs. consistency) predicted an increased attempt to shape one's environment by selectively exposing oneself to those who agree with one's position (Studies 4 and 7) and selectively exposing oneself to more biased news sources (Study 8). Attitude consistency (vs. embeddedness), on the other hand, better predicted the strength of relation between self-isolation attitudes and behaviors in the context of COVID-19 (Studies 9-10). I also examined the ability of each attitude feature to predict advocacy intentions (Studies 3-6). Embeddedness and consistency (as latent variables) each independently predicted advocacy intentions. It seemed that one way to understand these patterns would be that embeddedness plays a larger role when attitudes might serve value-expressive or social identify functions, whereas consistency might play a larger role when attitudes serve primarily utilitarian functions. Study 11 put that possibility to a confirmatory test, finding that in different contexts different attitude properties better predicted advocacy outcomes (Study 11). In particular, attitude embeddedness increased advocacy intentions for attitudes that served a social identity function, whereas attitude consistency increased advocacy intentions for attitudes that served a utilitarian function. Taken together, this work helps us to understand how attitude properties relate and the contexts under which different classes of attitude properties predict different outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
Studies that have reported on the loneliness protective effect of pet ownership have recently been called into question owing to methodological drawbacks, including the use of inappropriate scales of measurement for loneliness in pet owner samples. It has also been recently demonstrated that pet interactions may only influence positive, not negative, human affect. In light of these recent advances, the current study aimed to create a new scale focusing on the inverse experience of loneliness: connectedness. An initial 24-item scale was developed using qualitative data collected from our previous study investigating the impact of pet ownership for Australians living alone during a government-enforced lockdown in response to COVID-19. Study 1 included 934 dog and cat owners who self-selected into the online study. Factor analyses revealed two distinct factors, and only items that loaded uniquely on one factor were retained. Study 2 included 526 dog and cat owners who self-selected into the online study, which confirmed the two-factor structure and established validity and reliability of the scale. The result was a 14-item Pet Owner Connectedness Scale (POCS) with two subscales: (i) owner-pet connection, and (ii) connectedness through pet. Hence, we present evidence for a new scale that can be used to measure the positive social states of connectedness that owners may gain from their pets. This may provide a good alternative to more traditional methods such as measuring the buffering effect pets have on negative social states such as loneliness. It may also offer a more robust method to measure the impact of pet interactions on their owners. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
Parents of an infant may be particularly vulnerable to peritraumatic distress (e.g., psychological distress experienced during or immediately following a traumatic event) associated with events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Since peritraumatic distress could affect both their psychological well-being and their couple relationship functioning, it is essential to measure and document these symptoms within parents. The COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI;Qiu et al., 2020) was the first validated instrument to measure COVID-19 peritraumatic distress, but it has not yet been validated in French. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the French-Canadian version of the CPDI (F-CPDI) in a sample of 492 parents (58% of mothers) of an infant in Quebec Province (Canada). The factor structure, internal consistency, and convergent validity of the instrument were tested. Results indicate that the F-CPDI has good internal consistency and supports the four-factor structure proposed by the authors of the original instrument. Results of correlation analyses indicated that peritraumatic distress was related to increased psychological distress, postpartum depression, and lower life satisfaction. Results indicate satisfactory psychometric qualities for the F-CPDI, providing researchers and mental health professionals access to a COVID-19 peritraumatic distress measure. This questionnaire can be used to assess peritraumatic distress in parents of an infant during a pandemic period, which is a first step towards offering adapted intervention strategies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) (French) Les parents d'un nouveau-ne peuvent etre particulierement vulnerables a la detresse peritraumatique (c'est-a-dire la detresse psychologique vecue pendant ou immediatement apres un evenement traumatique) associee a des evenements tels que la pandemie de COVID-19. Puisque la detresse peritraumatique pourrait affecter a la fois leur bien-etre psychologique et le fonctionnement de leur relation de couple, il est essentiel de mesurer et de documenter ces symptomes chez les parents. L'indice de detresse peritraumatique reliee a la COVID-19 (IDPC;Qiu et al., 2020) a ete le premier instrument valide pour mesurer la detresse peritraumatique reliee a la COVID-19, mais il n'a pas encore ete valide en francais. Cette etude visait a evaluer les proprietes psychometriques de la version franco-canadienne du CPDI (l'IDPC en francais) aupres d'un echantillon de 492 parents (58 % de meres) d'un nouveau-ne dans la province de Quebec (Canada). La structure factorielle, la coherence interne et la validite convergente de l'instrument ont ete testees. Les resultats indiquent que l'IDPC a une bonne coherence interne et soutient la structure a quatre facteurs proposee par les auteurs de l'instrument original. Les resultats des analyses de correlation indiquent que la detresse peritraumatique est liee a une detresse psychologique accrue, a la depression post-partum et a une satisfaction de vie moindre. Les resultats indiquent des qualites psychometriques satisfaisantes pour l'IDPC, permettant aux chercheurs et aux professionnels de la sante mentale d'avoir acces a un indice de detresse peritraumatique reliee a la COVID-19. Ce questionnaire peut etre utilise pour evaluer la detresse peritraumatique des parents d'un nouveau-ne en periode de pandemie, ce qui constitue une premiere etape pour proposer des strategies d'intervention adaptees. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with an increase in mental health problems, including peritraumatic distress (Qiu et al., 2020). This study tested the validity of the French-Canadian COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (F-CPDI;Qiu et al., 2020), the first validated instrument to measure COVID-19 peritraumatic distress. Results revealed satisfactory psychometric qualities for the F-CPDI and prevalence rate of peritraumatic distress reaching 20.5% in Quebec parents of an infant. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
The Brief COPE (Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced) is a frequently used questionnaire assessing 14 theoretically derived coping mechanisms, but psychometric research has suggested inconsistent results concerning its factor structure. The aim of this study was to investigate primary and secondary order factor structures of the Brief COPE during the COVID-19 pandemic by testing 11 different models by confirmatory factor analyses and to assess differences between sex, age groups, and relationship status. Altogether, 529 respondents from Austria and Germany participated in a web-based survey. Results supported the originally hypothesized 14-factor structure but did not support previously described higher-order structures. However, bass-ackwards analyses suggested systematic overlap between different factors, which might have contributed to different factor solutions in previous research. Measurement invariance across sex, age groups, and relationship status could be confirmed. Findings suggest that cultural and situational aspects as well as the functional level should be considered in research on theoretical framing of coping behavior.
ABSTRACT
The measures presently available to examine the effectiveness of school counselors to provide counseling services to youth and emerging adults who identify as gender diverse are limited. This mixed-methods research study aimed to validate the psychometric properties of the Counselor Competence Gender Identity Scale (CCGIS) with a sample of school counselors. The CCGIS is a competency-based assessment that measures the effectiveness of counselors who provide services to gender diverse individuals in schools. We also examined school counselors' levels of gender identity counselor competence in relation to region of practice. Considering requests by many gender diverse individuals to have gender-inclusive curriculum in the schools and the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gender minority youth, we recruited school counselors in the United States to take the CCGIS so its factor structure and validity could be examined. Exploratory factor analysis retained 25 items that formed four subscales with good internal consistency. Criterion and concurrent validity tests indicated that the CCGIS is psychometrically sound. The CCGIS was able to discriminate between groups of school counselors based on region. The CCGIS is a valid tool that can be self-administered by school counselors to assess their effectiveness with gender diverse students. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to test the factor structure of the measure of student participation in distance education. The study population consisted of all teachers in public education and faculty members in higher education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by applying it to a sample of bachelor's and graduate students at the college of Education at umm al-Qura University. The (ESE) was applied to a random sample representing the study population consisting of (216) respondents. The results of the study showed that the scale consists of three main factors, with showed a high degree of construct validity through fit indices of the confirmatory factor analysis. The results have shown a gradual consistency of the measure's invariance that reaches the high level of the Measurement Invariance across the gender and study groups variables.
ABSTRACT
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has remarkably challenged preschool teacher candidates, triggering concerns for their psychological well-being and mental health. Valid and reliable instruments to assess elements of mental health are thus required. The self-rating Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale demonstrates promise as an instrument for the identification and quantification of the states of anxiety and depression in non-psychiatric patients. The Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale is widely applied in both clinical and research contexts. However, no psychometric evaluations have been performed for this instrument with non-clinical samples such as preschool teacher candidates in South Korea. This study purposed to establish the factor structure of the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale and to validate its Korean version and was conducted online with a sample of preschool teacher candidates during the peak of the coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown. Methods: Data were collected from 359 undergraduates currently enrolled in a 4-year early childhood education degree program at a private university in Korea. The sample was randomly split to perform exploratory factor analysis and then confirmatory factor analysis respectively to test competing models hypothesized to reflect the factor structure of the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale. Results: Supplemental revisions based on confirmatory factor analysis modification indices demonstrated that a correlated 2-factor model with 1 cross-loaded item offered the best fit to the data with adequate internal reliability estimates. Conclusion: Overall, this study confirms the validity and factor structure of the Korean version of the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, which is deemed an acceptable instrument that can be used to measure the symptoms of depression and anxiety in Korean preschool teacher candidates. © 2022, AVES. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Psychological research in the past decade has investigated the psychosocial implications of problematic use of on-demand online video streaming services, particularly series watching. Yet, a psychometric measure of problematic series watching in English is not available. AIMS: The present study aimed to test the factor structure, reliability and criterion-related validity of the English version of the Problematic Series Watching Scale, a six-item self-report assessing problematic series watching, based on the biopsychosocial components model of addiction. METHOD: Participants were recruited from two UK university student samples. Study 1 (n = 333) comprised confirmatory factor analysis, reliability tests and item response theory analyses to test the original unidimensional model and investigate each item's levels of discrimination and information. Study 2 (n = 209) comprised correlation analyses to test the criterion-related validity of the scale. RESULTS: There was a good fit of the theoretical model of the scale to the data (Comparative Fit Index = 0.998, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.024 [90% CI 0.000-0.093], Standardised Root Mean square Residual = 0.048), satisfactory reliability (ω = 0.79) and item levels of discrimination and information. The scale positively correlated with time spent watching series (rs = 0.26, P < 0.001) and negative affect (rs = 0.43, P < 0.001), and correlated negatively with positive affect (rs = -0.12, P > 0.05), mental well-being (rs = -0.25, P < 0.001) and sleep quality (rs = -0.14, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Results are discussed in relation to the ongoing debate on binge watching and series watching in the context of positive reinforcement versus problematic behaviour.
ABSTRACT
To improve the health status of teachers, there is a need for good and reliable instruments to continuously assess their mental health. The current study proposed the GHQ-12 questionnaire as an appropriate instrument for measuring the mental health of teachers. The GHQ-12 is a well-established screening instrument that has mostly been applied in non-teaching samples. In the current study, the psychometric properties of the questionnaire were analyzed using a large sample of German teachers (N = 3996). The data was collected yearly over an extended period of time (2012-2020). Results showed good to very good reliability, as well as high correspondence to burnout and life satisfaction scales. Principal axis factor analysis supported a two-factor structure: Factor 1 represents "depression/stress" and Factor 2 represents "loss of confidence". However, the mental health of the investigated teachers was worse than that of a representative sample in Germany. Consequently, this study highlighted the fact that the teaching profession is vulnerable to mental strain and underlined the importance of promoting prevention programs that could help to sustain and foster the mental health of teachers. In this context, the GHQ-12 could be proposed as a good and economic tool to assess and analyze mental health in German teachers. The presented norm could help practitioners and teachers to compare individual scores within a larger peer group.
Subject(s)
Mental Health , School Teachers , Germany , Psychometrics , Reproducibility of Results , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
It is unclear if the factor structure of the questionnaires that were employed by studies addressing the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of Healthcare Workers (HCW) did not change due to the pandemic. The aim of this study is to assess the factor structure and longitudinal measurement invariance of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the factor structure of the General Health Questionnare-12 (GHQ-12), PTSD Checklist for DSM-5-Short Form (PCL-5-SF), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10 (CD-RISC-10) and Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form (PTGI-SF). Out of n = 805 HCWs from a University hospital who responded to a pre-COVID-19 survey, n = 431 were re-assessed after the COVID-19 outbreak. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) on the MBI showed adequate fit and good internal consistency only after removal of items 2, 6, 12 and 16. The assumptions of configural and metric longitudinal invariance were met, whereas scalar longitudinal invariance did not hold. CFAs and exploratory bifactor analyses performed using data from the second wave confirmed that the GHQ-12, the PCL-5-SF, the PTGI-SF and the CD-RISC-10 were unidimensional. In conclusion, we found support for a refined version of the MBI. The comparison of mean MBI values in HCWs before and after the pandemic should be interpreted with caution.
Subject(s)
Burnout, Professional , COVID-19 , COVID-19/epidemiology , Health Personnel , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Mental Health , Pandemics , Psychometrics , Reproducibility of Results , SARS-CoV-2 , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Stigma towards COVID-19 may negatively impact people who suffer from it and those supporting and treating them. OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a scale to assess 11-item COVID-19-related stigma. METHODS: A total of 696 pregnant women at a gestational age of 12 to 15 weeks were surveyed using an online survey with a newly developed scale for COVID-19 stigma and other variables. The internal consistency of the scale was calculated using omega indices. We also examined the measurement invariance of the scale. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analyses (EFAs) of the scale items were conducted using a halved sample (n = 350). Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) among the other halved sample (n = 346) compared the single-, two-, three-, and four-factor structure models derived from the EFAs. The best model included the following three-factor structure (χ2/df = 2.718, CFI = 0.960, RMSEA = 0.071): Omnidirectional Avoidance, Attributional Avoidance, and Hostility. Its internal consistency was excellent (all omega indices > 0.70). The three-factor structure model showed configuration, measurement, and structural invariances between primiparas and multiparas, and between younger (less than 32 years) and older women (32 years or older). Fear of childbirth, mother-fetal bonding, obsessive compulsive symptoms, depression, adult attachment self-model, and borderline personality traits were not significantly correlated with the Omnidirectional Avoidance subscale but correlated with the Attributional Avoidance and Hostility subscales (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The findings suggested that our scale for COVID-19 stigma was robust in its factor structure, as well as in construct validity.
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to explore the factor structure of the Korean version of the occupational socialization of beginning physical education teachers scale, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to verify its relationship with health perception education. In October 2021, 257 Korean beginning physical education teachers were enrolled in this study. Data were analyzed using frequency analysis, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, and multiple regression analysis. Regarding the findings, first, the occupational socialization of beginning physical education teachers scale showed a six-factor structure: role recognition, past physical education class experience, pre-service teacher education, organizational atmosphere, fellow physical education teachers, and sports facility. Second, occupational socialization of beginning physical education teachers showed a partial positive effect on health perception education. These results suggest that the Korean Metropolitan and Provincial Offices of Education and Korean schools should develop various methods to support and ensure the occupational socialization of beginning physical education teachers. Such efforts may enable these new professionals to effectively adapt to their schools, teaching roles, and provide effective health education to students under the difficult context of the COVID-19 pandemic, wherein normal educational activities are hindered.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Physical Education and Training , COVID-19/epidemiology , Health Education , Humans , Pandemics , Perception , Reproducibility of Results , Republic of Korea/epidemiology , SocializationABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unprecedented disruption to everyday life, including widespread social distancing and self-quarantining aimed at reducing the virus spread. The Mental Health Checklist (MHCL) is a measure developed to assess psychological health during extended periods of isolation and confinement, and has shown strong psychometric properties in community samples and during Antarctic missions. This study validated the MHCL in a sample of 359 U.S. and U.K adults during the peak of the COVID-19 lockdown. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) tested model fit, and convergent validity analyses were conducted to compare the MHCL with validated measures of depression, anxiety and stress, as well as insomnia. The MHCL exhibited good model fit for most CFA indices, and showed strong convergent validity with other measures of psychological well-being. Findings suggest that the MHCL is useful for assessing mental health in a variety of environments and conditions.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Adult , Checklist , Communicable Disease Control , Humans , Mental Health , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has subjected people around the world to severe stress, evoking a variety of coping responses. Coping responses can be broadly classified into four strategies: 1) problem-focused coping;2) emotion focused coping;3) socially supported coping;and 4) avoidance. While there is a wide variability of individual coping responses, to some extent they are also culturally specific. Objective: This study aimed to compare the differences in the prevalence and factor structure of coping responses during COVID-19 pandemic in three countries: Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Peru. Design: The sample included 501 participants from Russia, 456 participants from Kyrgyzstan, and 354 participants from Peru. The mean age of participants was 28 years in Russia (SD = 13.5);24 years in Kyrgyzstan (SD = 10.0);and 30 years in Peru (SD = 12.3). In Russia and Kyrgyzstan, coping strategies were assessed with an abbreviated Russian adaptation of the COPE (Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced) questionnaire. In Peru, coping responses were assessed using the Spanish version of the Brief COPE questionnaire. The average scores from fifteen COPE scales were used as the input data for linear modelling and factor analysis. Results: The coping scores varied substantially within each country. Differences between countries accounted for 17.7% of the total variability in religious coping;15.8% in acceptance;13.9% in mental disengagement;and less than 7% in the other coping strategies. No difference in the prevalence of coping responses was found between Russian and Kyrgyz participants after accounting for age and gender. In all three countries the coping responses were associated with the same four coping domains: problem-focused coping, socially supported coping, avoidance, and emotion-focused coping. Four factors explained up to 44% of the total variation in the COPE scores. Religious coping and mental disengagement were classified into different coping domains in the three countries. Conclusion: The results suggest that during the COVID-19 pandemic, people from different countries apply the full range of coping responses within the four universal coping strategies. Religious coping and mental disengagement differed the most across the countries, suggesting that some coping behaviors can take on different roles within the system of coping responses to stressful events. We attribute these differences to differing cultural and socioeconomic characteristics, and the different measures taken by governments in response to COVID-19. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
There is a potential for a long-lasting psychological and social impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, the COVID-19 Anxiety Syndrome Scale (C19-ASS) has been developed, which measures individuals' coping mechanisms in relation to the fear or threat of COVID-19. The C19-ASS was developed and has been used so far only in Western samples. Further psychometric evaluation is needed in ethnically diverse samples. Therefore, the current study sought to test the psychometric properties in a large sample of Iranians (n = 1429; female = 52.1%; Mean age = 35.83, ±12.89) who completed a cross-sectional survey. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the Persian C19-ASS has a two-factor structure corresponding to the perseveration and avoidance subscales of the original scale. Confirmatory factor analyses also supported a two-factor solution, which showed a firm model fit and high internal consistencies. Furthermore, it showed excellent divergent validity from generalized anxiety, indicating that it is concerned explicitly with COVID-19, supported by correlational analyses and exploratory factor analysis. Test of incremental validity indicated the Persian C19-ASS explained more variance in functional impairment and COVID-19 anxiety than the gender, marital and educational status, generalized anxiety, neuroticism, openness, consciousness and having lost someone close due to COVID-19. Also, based on a mediation test, it was found that C19-ASS mediates the relationship between the Big Five personality traits (except openness and consciousness) and health anxiety, generalized anxiety, depression and COVID-19 anxiety. Overall, the current findings provide further evidence for the construct of the COVID-19 anxiety syndrome. The COVID-19 anxiety syndrome is discussed in light of the S-REF model that provides an explanatory framework for this pandemic-related construct.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Anxiety/diagnosis , Anxiety/psychology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Iran , Pandemics , Psychometrics , Reproducibility of Results , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) is a new one-dimensional scale used to measure fear of an individual about the COVID-19. Given the seriousness of the COVID-19 situation in China when our study was taking place, our aim was to translate and examine the applicability of the FCV-19S in Chinese students. The sample used for validation comprised 2,445 Chinese students. The psychometrical characteristics of the Chinese FCV-19S (FCV-19S-C) were tested using Rasch analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) proved the unidimensional structure of the model. Both infit and outfit mean square (MNSQ) values (0.69-1.31) and point-measure correlations (0.82-0.86) indicated a good model fit. Person-item separation and reliability values indicated good reliability of the scale. The person-item map revealed an acceptable level of match between the persons and the items. Differential item functioning of the FCV-19S-C showed no differences with respect to age or gender. FCV-19S-C scores were significantly associated with anxiety, stress, depression, ego-resilience, and general health. The FCV-19S-C was proven to be effective in measuring fear of Chinese students about the COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
ObjectivesãThis study aims to develop a dietary consciousness scale and examine its reliability and validity, as well as investigate the changes in psychological aspects that influence diet among Japanese adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and clarify its related factors.MethodsãAn online survey was conducted from July 1, 2020 to July 3, 2020. Participants were adults aged between 20 and 69 years selected from 13 prefectures where the government declared the state of emergency from April to May 2020. All selected participants were shopping or cooking foods for more than 2 days a week at the time of the survey. A total of 2,299 participants were included in the analysis. Dietary consciousness was measured using 12 items, and the construct was examined using factor analysis. Cronbach's alpha was examined as an indicator of internal validity, and the criterion-referenced validity was confirmed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. To determine changes in dietary consciousness, we calculated total scores based on changes in each item of the Dietary Consciousness Scale as follows: no change (0 points), improved (+1 point), and worsening (-1 point). The associations between the changes in dietary consciousness and characteristics or socioeconomic factors of the participants were examined using the chi-squared test and residual analysis.ResultsãExploratory and confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated that a model consisting of two factors fitted the data (GFI = 0.958, AGFI = 0.938, CFI = 0.931, RMSEA = 0.066). Cronbach's alpha of the first factor (importance of diet) was 0.838 and 0.734 for the second factor (precedence of diet), and the reliability was confirmed at 0.828 for the entire scale. In the examination of criterion-related validity, the higher the stage of change, the higher the total score of the scale, and a significant difference was observed (P<0.001). The percentage of participants whose precedence worsened was higher than the importance. Significant differences were observed regarding gender, age group, marital status, employment status, household annual income, and income change during the COVID-19 pandemic considering changes in both the importance and precedence of diet. Those who were in the "worsening tendency" group in both the importance and precedence were men, 20-29 years old, unmarried, full-time employees, with a household income of 4-6 million yen during the past year.ConclusionãDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, the precedence of diet worsened, compared to its importance, and men, young, or unmarried persons show a worsening of dietary consciousness.