Psychometric Properties of the Coronavirus Stress Measure with Malaysian Young Adults: Association with Psychological Inflexibility and Psychological Distress.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in multiple physical and psychological stressors, which require quantification and establishment of association with other psychological process variables. The Coronavirus Stress Measure (CSM) is a validated instrument with acceptable validity and reliability. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the CSM in a Malaysian population. University participants were recruited via convenience sampling using snowball methods. The reliability and validity of the Malay CSM (CSM-M) were rigorously evaluated, utilising both confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis, in relation to sociodemographic variables and response to the depression, anxiety, and stress subscales of the Malay validation of the DASS-21, and also perceived stress (measured by the PSS) and psychological flexibility (AAQ-II). The sample comprised of 247 Malaysian participants. The McDonald's omega value for the Malay CSM was 0.935 indicating very good internal reliability. The CSM was significantly correlated with stress, anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and psychological flexibility. The Malay CSM properties were examined also with Rasch analysis, with satisfactory outcomes. There was positive correlated error between items 1 and 3, as well as negative correlated error between items 1 and 4. Hence, item 1 was excluded, leaving with 4 items. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated good data-model fit, and model fit statistics confirmed that Malay CSM showed a single-factor model. The Malay CSM hence demonstrates good validity and reliability, with both classical and modern psychometric methods demonstrating robust outcomes. It is therefore crucial in operational and research settings in establishing the true extent of stress levels as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Correction to: Malay Version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale: Validity and Reliability.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s11469-020-00355-4.].

Malay Version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale: Validity and Reliability.

The newly developed Persian Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) is a seven-item uni-dimensional scale that assesses the severity of fear of COVID-19. A translation and validation of the FCV-19S in the Malay language was expedited due to the severe psychological sequelae of COVID-19 in Malaysia. Formal WHO forward and backward translation sequences were employed in translating the English version into Malay. Malaysian university participants were recruited via convenience sampling online using snowball methods. The reliability and validity properties of the Malay FCV-19S were rigorously psychometrically evaluated (utilising both confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis) in relation to socio-demographic variables and response to the depression, anxiety and stress subscales of the Malay validation of the DASS-21. The sample comprised 228 Malaysian participants. The Cronbach α value for the Malay FCV-19S was 0.893 indicating very good internal reliability. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis showed that the uni-dimensional factor structure of the FCV19S fitted well with the data. The FCV-19S-M was significantly correlated with anxiety (r = 0.481, p < 0.001) and stress (r = 0.389, p < 0.001) subscales of DASS-21. The FCV-19S-M's properties tested using Rasch analysis were also satisfactory. Hence, the Malay FCV-19S is valid and reliable, with robust psychometric properties from classical and modern psychometric methods. It therefore is a highly crucial and timely addition to the psychological toolkit both in operational and research settings in identifying, managing and responding to the psychological distress engendered by COVID-19.

Mediating Effect of Psychological Process Variables on the Relationship between Dysfunctional Coping and Psychopathologies: A Comparative Study on Psychopathologies during COVID-19.

The COVID-19 crisis has had repercussions on global mental wellbeing. This study aimed: (1) to identify the mediating role of psychological process variables, namely psychological mindedness, psychological mindfulness, and psychological inflexibility on the relationship between dysfunctional coping and psychopathologies in Indonesian undergraduate students subjected to national quarantine orders throughout July, 2020 and (2) to compare the level of anxiety, depression, and anxiety between Indonesian and Malaysian undergraduate students. A cross-sectional study was performed with 869 Indonesian undergraduate students from Nahdlatul Ulama University of Surabaya (UNUSA) and 515 undergraduate students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). The BIPM, MAAS, AAQ-I, DASS-21, and Brief COPE were used to assess the research variables. The proportion who scored "moderate" and above for depression, anxiety, and stress were 20.2%, 25.0%, and 14.2%, respectively, in Malaysian samples and 22.2%, 35.0%, and 23.48% in Indonesian samples. In Study 1, psychological mindedness, psychological mindfulness, and psychological inflexibility significantly mediated the relationship between dysfunctional coping and psychopathologies. In Study 2, Indonesians demonstrated significantly higher anxiety and stress compared to Malaysian samples. Despite the contrasting COVID-19 situations in Malaysia and Indonesia, psychopathologies were more affected in Indonesia. Hence, our study suggests how crucial it is for mental health providers to consider promoting psychological mindedness, psychological mindfulness, and psychological flexibility to alleviate the corresponding psychopathologies among undergraduate students.

Relationship Between Fear of COVID-19, Psychopathology and Sociodemographic Variables in Malaysian Population.

COVID-19 has affected Malaysia in multitude aspects. Although Malaysia is on the right track to flatten the curve attributed to swift and decisive actions by the government, it is important to assess the psychological after effect that caused by the pandemic and the movement control order. This study performed in Borneo, Malaysia, was conducted using principles of snowballing, and by invitation through university students and staffs mailing list to participate. The survey collected data on sociodemographic, along with measuring psychological impact by using the newly validated Malay version Fear of COVID-19 Scale and DASS-21 scale. There were a total of 255 respondents. The majority of the respondents' age was 25 years and below, with a female male ratio of 2:1 and around 70% respondents were students. Below 25-year-old age group, and females are having significantly higher levels of fear of COVID-19, depression, anxiety, and stress. Single people have higher depression level. There was a significant difference between students and non-students for depression, anxiety, and stress, but not for fear of COVID-19. It is imperative to allay the fears and psychological sequalae of COVID-19, especially those individuals at higher risks. Psychological interventions as well as telepsychiatry mobilisation could prove useful in dealing with the distress.