Real-world predictors of changes in fear of COVID-19 in the Japanese general population: a large-scale internet-based cohort study with 20,712 participants.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory infection that considerably impacts both physical and mental health. In particular, the prolonged nature of psychological issues associated with COVID-19 has become a concern. However, evidence based on longitudinal studies investigating the changes in fear of COVID-19 has been limited, posing a public health challenge. METHODS: We investigated the predictors of changes in the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) scores in the general Japanese population using data from a large-scale internet-based cohort study. RESULTS: We included 20,712 study participants (mean age = 51.1 years, percentage of males = 49.9%). The baseline FCV-19S score for the research participants was 17.0, and one year later, the FCV-19S score decreased to 15.8. The predictors of increase in FCV-19S scores were older age, male sex, COVID-19 requiring oxygen therapy, higher baseline FCV-19S total score, severe psychological distress, never married, worsening subjective health status, a greater number of COVID-19 vaccinations, a history of alcohol dependency, and living with family members. Conversely, the predictors of decrease in FCV-19S scores included habitual alcohol intake, COVID-19 not requiring oxygen therapy and a higher household income. Our study was an internet-based survey focused on residents of Japan, which raises the possibility of selection bias and makes it unclear whether the findings can be extrapolated to other countries and cultures. CONCLUSION: During the observation period, the FCV-19S scores significantly decreased. Severe COVID-19 requiring oxygen therapy within one year of baseline was the most impactful predictor of an increase in FCV-19S score. On the other hand, mild COVID-19 not requiring oxygen therapy was a predictor of a decrease in FCV-19S scores. Therefore, we believe that it is necessary to adopt individualized approaches stratified by the severity of the infection when addressing the fear of COVID-19.

Associated factors for fear of COVID-19 scale in long-term care settings in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) score and sociodemographic, health, emotional and behavioural factors, in a cross-sectional observational study in 447 older adults living in long-term care (LTC) settings in Madrid (Spain). METHODS: The sample was stratified by nursing home ownership, geographical location, and size. Multiple linear regression analysis was used using backward elimination to identify factors that explained associations with fear, and logistic regression models were used to examine its role as a predictor of adherence to preventive measures. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 83.8 years, most were female, had had COVID-19, and were worried about the pandemic. The average score of the FCV-19S was 18.36 (SD: 8.28; range: 7-35), and the variables associated in the multiple linear regression model (explained variance: 34.00%) were being female, lower level of education, satisfaction with life and the residential home, and higher worry about the pandemic. The logistic regression models showed that fear of COVID-19 was a predictor of adherence to preventive measures like wearing facemasks, washing hands, and avoiding physical contact. CONCLUSIONS: fear of COVID-19 was significantly related with sex and subjective factors as life satisfaction and worry; and it influences older people's preventive behaviour. Interventions aimed at reducing fear and promoting adherence to preventive measures would improve their mental health and well-being.

Psychometric properties and measurement invariance of a European Portuguese version of the fear of COVID-19 scale / Propiedades psicométricas e invariancia de medida de una versión en portugués europeo de la escala de miedo de la COVID-19

El miedo generalizado de la COVID-19 parece haber exacerbado el impacto negativo de la pandemia. Por eso, es relevante monitorear el miedo de la COVID-19 y su asociación con la salud mental, el bienestar y los comportamientos de las personas, siendo necesarias medidas válidas y fiables de miedo de la COVID-19. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar las propiedades psicométricas de una versión en portugués europeo de la escala Fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19S-P). Un objetivo secundario fue evaluar la invariancia de medición transversal multigrupo de FCV-19S-P (mujeres vs. hombres). Una muestra de 572 adultos portugueses (72 % mujeres) completaron el FCV-19S-P y medidas de depresión, ansiedad y estrés. Los resultados del estudio respaldaron la validez de esta versión y fiabilidad (alfa de Cronbach = .84; confiabilidad compuesta = .83) y una estructura factorial similar a de la versión original. El miedo de la COVID-19 se asoció positivamente (.23 < r < .31) con depresión, ansiedad y estrés. Los resultados del análisis transversal de invariancia multigrupo respaldaron la invariancia escalar total de la FCV-19S-P y su invariancia residual parcial, lo que sugiere que esta medida puede usarse para llegar a conclusiones válidas con respecto a las comparaciones de género en muestras de adultos portugueses.(AU)

The novelty and uncertainty of the pandemic nourished a gener-alized fear of the COVID-19, which seems to have exacerbated the pan-demic’s negative impact. It is thus relevant to monitor fear of COVID-19 and its association with individuals’ mental health, well-being, and behav-iors. Valid and reliable measures of fear of COVID-19 are necessary for that purpose. This study aimed at assessing the psychometric properties of a European Portuguese version of the Fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S-P). A secondary aim was to assess FCV-19S-P’s multigroup measurement invariance (female vs.male). A sample of 572 Portuguese adults (72 % fe-male) completed the FCV-19S-P and measures of depression, anxiety, and stress. The study results supported this version validityand reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = .84; Composite Reliability = .83), and a factorial struc-ture similar to the original version. Fear of COVID-19 was positively asso-ciated (.23 < r < .31) with depression, anxiety, and stress. Results of the multigroup invariance analysis supported the FCV-19S-P total scalar invar-iance and its partial residual invariance, suggesting that this measure may be used to reach valid conclusions in respect to gender comparisons in samples of Portuguese adults in regard to group observed composite means.(AU)

Adherence to Mediterranean diet and dietary changes according to the fear of COVID-19 during the pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to the implementation of restrictions to reduce transmission worldwide. The restrictions and measures have affected the psychological health and eating habits. The objective of the present study was to evaluate dietary habits, lifestyle changes, adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and fear of COVID-19 in Turkey during the pandemic. A cross-sectional online survey of socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, nutrition, physical activity and lifestyle habits was used for data collection. The fear of COVID-19 levels of the participants was determined by the fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S). The Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) was used to evaluate participants' adherence to the MD. The differences between the FCV-19S and MEDAS according to gender were compared. Eight hundred and twenty subjects (76⋅6 % women and 28⋅4 % men) were evaluated within the study. The mean of MEDAS (ranged between 0 and 12) was 6⋅4 ± 2⋅1, and almost half of the participants moderately adhered to the MD. The mean of FCV-19S (ranged between 7 and 33) was 16⋅8 ± 5⋅7, while women's FCV-19S and MEDAS were significantly higher than men's (P < 0⋅001). The consumption of sweetened cereals, grains, pasta, homemade bread and pastries of the respondents with high FCV-19S were higher than in those with low FCV-19S. High FCV-19S was also characterized by decreased take-away food and fast food consumption in approximately 40 % of the respondents (P < 0⋅01). Similarly, women's fast food and take-away food consumption decreased more than men's (P < 0⋅05). In conclusion, the respondents' food consumption and eating habits varied according to the fear of COVID-19.

Longitudinal validation of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale in a nationwide United States sample: An item response theory model across three inflection points of the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic's global emergence/spread caused widespread fear. Measurement/tracking of COVID-19 fear could facilitate remediation. Despite the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S)'s validation in multiple languages/countries, nationwide United States (U.S.) studies are scarce. Cross-sectional classical test theory-based validation studies predominate. Our longitudinal study sampled respondents to a 3-wave, nationwide, online survey. We calibrated the FCV-19S using a unidimensional graded response model. Item/scale monotonicity, discrimination, informativeness, goodness-of-fit, criterion validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability were assessed. Items 7, 6, and 3 consistently displayed very high discrimination. Other items had moderate-to-high discrimination. Items 3, 6, and 7 were most (items 1 and 5 the least) informative. [Correction added on 18 May 2023, after first online publication: In the preceding sentence, the term 'items one-fifth least' has been changed to 'items 1 and 5 the least'.] Item scalability was 0.62-0.69; full-scale scalability 0.65-0.67. Ordinal reliability coefficient was 0.94; test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient 0.84. Positive correlations with posttraumatic stress/anxiety/depression, and negative correlations with emotional stability/resilience supported convergent/divergent validity. The FCV-19S validly/reliably captures temporal variation in COVID-19 fear across the U.S.

Analyzing the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Turkish dental professionals.

BACKGROUND: Due to the working conditions, while performing dental procedures, dental professionals may experience a sense fear and anxiety about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the levels of fear and anxiety about COVID-19 among dental professionals by using the Turkish version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS), and to explore the risk factors associated with the intensity of fear and anxiety. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between October 16 and October 23, 2020, during the normalization process, by sending an online survey to 813 dental professionals working in public and university hospitals in Turkey. The questionnaire contained questions about socio-demographic characteristics as well as epidemic-related questions. The levels of fear and anxiety were assessed by means of FCV-19S and CAS, respectively. RESULTS: The sample's mean scores were 18.48 ±5.47 for FCV-19S and 2.17 ±3.08 for CAS. Female participants expressed higher levels of fear of COVID-19 than male participants (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The fear and anxiety levels in dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic were found to be high.

Emotional fear of COVID-19, but not physiological expressions of fear, explains variability in COVID-19's impact on individuals' lives.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound and robust impact on individuals' lives and has particularly negatively affected individuals' experiences with fear of catching COVID-19. To measure this fear, researchers created the unidimensional Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S). However, some exploratory factor analysis studies suggested the presence of two factors, which are 1) emotional fear and 2) physiological expressions of fear. In the current exploratory study, we aimed to confirm this factor structure using confirmatory factor analysis and to examine how these two new factors of the FCV-19S explain variability in the impacts of COVID-19 on nine life domains (i.e., finances, loved ones, job, safety, school, mental health, physical health, social activities, and quality of life). Participants were undergraduate students (n = 224) from a Midwestern University (White: 60.7%; Male: 48.0%) who participated in the study for course credit. The results revealed that the two-factor model had an excellent fit for the FCV-19S, both subscales had excellent psychometric properties, and the emotional fear subscale significantly explained variability in all nine life domains (7% to 54%). However, the physiological fear subscale only significantly explained variability in the physical health domain along with emotional fear (28%). The findings suggested that emotional fear of COVID-19 may explain more variability in the impact of COVID-19 across life domains, while physiological fear may only explain the effects of COVID-19 on physical health. We further discussed implications, limitations, and future directions.

Validation of the Spanish Version of Fear of COVID-19 Scale: 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.

Psychometric Properties of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale: a Response to Mercado-Lara et al. "Validity and Reliability of the Spanish Version of Fear of COVID-19 Scale in Colombian Physicians".

A paper reporting the psychometric properties of the Spanish Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) among Colombian physicians was recently published in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. Although we welcome the translation and validation of our seven-item scale, this commentary outlines some major concerns we have with the study especially the removal of two items in developing a five-item FCV-19S. Based on these concerns, we strongly recommend that healthcare providers and researchers should use the five-item FCV-19S with caution.

COVID-19 Fear Among Pakistanis: Psychometric Evaluation of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale Using Item Response Theory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis.

The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) assesses the fear of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and has been translated and validated into over 20 languages. The present study conducted confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and item response theory (IRT) analyses on the FCV-19S among a sample of 937 Pakistani adults (mean [SD] age of 25.83 [11.80] years; 537 [57.3%] females). The CFA and IRT confirmed the unidimensionality of the FCV-19S. The Likert-type scale used in the FCV-19S was supported by the proper threshold orderings. Additionally, no DIF contrast had an absolute value larger than 0.5 regarding the participants' characteristics of gender, age, living status, and education in the IRT findings. The FCV-19S was found to be valid and reliable with strong psychometric properties among the Pakistani adult population.

Evaluation of the English Version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale and Its Relationship with Behavior Change and Political Beliefs.

The COVID-19 pandemic has many individuals around the world fearing for their lives. The constant news coverage, rapid transmission, and relatively high mortality rate, make fearfulness a natural response. To assess the fear of COVID-19, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) was developed. The primary aim of the present study was to conduct the first psychometric assessment and validation of the English version of the FCV-19S. Two samples were collected in New Zealand. Sample 1 comprised 1624 participants of which 1397 completed all questions and were used in the analyses. Sample 2 comprised 1111 participants of which 1023 completed all questions and were used in the analyses. Several psychometric tests were conducted to ascertain the scale's reliability and validity. Across both samples, the FCV-19S had high internal consistency. Consistent with the earlier validation studies, the FCV-19S displayed a moderately strong relationship with the perceived infectability and germ aversion subscales of the perceived vulnerability to disease scale (PVDS). Furthermore, FCV-19S scores were negatively correlated with the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) scores. With respect to the motivating role of fear, there was a significant relationship between FCV-19S scores and adherence to the lockdown rules that were implemented in New Zealand. Finally, consistent with recent reports on the politicization of the COVID-19 pandemic, an exploratory question found that participants who rated themselves as more conservative tended to report lower FCV-19S scores. The English version of the COVID-19S is a sound unidimensional scale with robust psychometric properties and can be used with confidence among English-speaking populations.

Comparison of Fear of COVID-19 in Medical and Nonmedical Personnel in a Public Hospital in Mexico: a Brief Report.

The world is social distancing, and compulsory confinement has caused stress, psychological instability, stigmatization, fear, and discrimination in the general population. In this cross-sectional survey study, we administered the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) to hospital medical and nonmedical personnel. A total of 1216 participants were surveyed from May 25 to May 29 of 2020. We asked all the staff for their participation in the study, and physical copies of the survey were distributed to the staff willing to participate. All surveys were answered anonymously. We found that the global FCV-19S mean score was 16.4 ± 6.1, with a significant difference between women and men's scores. Medical students presented higher scores than experienced medical personnel. Additionally, the medical and nursing personnel presented a higher level of fear than hospital staff who did not work directly with COVID-19 patients. Our findings suggest that greater knowledge of medicine or infectious diseases could decrease the overall psychological impact of the pandemic disease.

Validation of the Spanish Version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) in Long-Term Care Settings.

Fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is one of the main psychological impacts of the actual pandemic, especially among the population groups with higher mortality rates. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) has been used in different scenarios to assess fear associated with COVID-19, but this has not been done frequently in people living in long-term care (LTC) settings. The present study is aimed at measuring the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the FCV-19S in residents in LTC settings, following both the classical test theory (CTT) and Rasch model frameworks. The participants (n = 447), aged 60 years or older, were asked to complete the FCV-19S and to report, among other issues, their levels of depression, resilience, emotional wellbeing and health-related quality of life with validated scales. The mean FCV-19S score was 18.36 (SD 8.28, range 7−35), with higher scores for women, participants with lower education (primary or less) and higher adherence to preventive measures (all, p < 0.05). The Cronbach's alpha for the FCV-19S was 0.94. After eliminating two items due to a lack of fit, the FCV-19S showed a good fit to the Rasch model (χ2 (20) = 30.24, p = 0.019, PSI = 0.87), with unidimensionality (binomial 95% CI 0.001 to 0.045) and item local independency. Question 5 showed differential item functioning by sex. The present study shows that the FCV-19S has satisfactory reliability and validity, which supports its use to effectively measure fear in older people living in LTC settings. This tool could help identify risk groups that may need specific health education and effective communication strategies to lower fear levels. This might have a beneficial impact on adherence to preventive measures.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale for Chinese University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: fear of COVID-19 is widespread among the population, especially among college students because of their increased exposure to the media information overload of the COVID-19 outbreak. The Fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19 S) is a relatively short instrument used to evaluate fears surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the validity and reliability of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale have not been fully investigated in Chinese university student groups. OBJECTIVES: this study assessed the cross-cultural adaptability and reliability of the FCV-19S for Chinese university students. METHODS: a Chinese version of Fear of COVID-19 Scale (C-FCV-19S) was generated using the translation-backward translation method. Psychometric properties of the C-FCV-19S, including internal consistency, split-half reliability, construct reliability, convergent validity, and diagnostic accuracy, were evaluated. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7) scales were also used to evaluate participants for depression and anxiety. RESULTS: the C-FCV-19S has acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: 0.872) and satisfactory split-half reliability (correlation coefficient: 0.799). Using the exploratory factor analysis (EFA), we examined the construct reliability (KMO = 0.920). The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed that the bifactor model of scale (including general factor, factor1: the awareness of COVID-19 and physiological arousal, factor 2: fear-related thinking) had a good fit index (χ2/df =6.18, RMSEA= 0.067, SRMR = 0.028, GFI = 0.986, TLI = 0.970 and CFI= 0.988). Using depression-positive and anxiety-positive scores as reference criteria, we found that the areas under the curve were 0.70 and 0.68, respectively, and that the optimal cutoff scores of the C-FCV-19S was 17.5 (sensitivity: 66.3% and 58.7%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: the validity and reliability of C-FCV-19S are satisfactory, and the optimal cutoff point was 17.5. The C-FCV-19S can be applied adopted in Chinese university students.

Exploration of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of home health care workers in Japan: a multicenter cross-sectional web-based survey.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused home health care workers (home-HCWs) to experience anxiety. The mental health of home-HCWs and related factors during the COVID-19 pandemic have not been clarified; therefore, we aimed to investigate the status and associated factors of fear of COVID-19 infection, anxiety, and depression among home-HCWs in Japan. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional web-based anonymous survey of home-HCWs in August 2021, during the fifth wave of the pandemic in Japan. We surveyed members of facilities that provided home visit services during the COVID-19 pandemic. We measured the Japanese version of the Fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S-J) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) as objective variables, and the Japanese version of the Assessment of Interprofessional Team Collaboration Scale-II (J-AITCS-II) as an explanatory variable. RESULTS: A total of 328 members of 37 facilities responded to the survey, and we ultimately analyzed 311 participants. The most frequent occupation was nurse (32.8%), followed by doctor (24.8%) and medical office staff (18.0%). The mean score of the FCV-19S-J was 16.5 ± 5.0 (7.0 - 31.0), and the prevalences of definitive anxiety and depression were 7.4% and 15.7%, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the J-AITCS-II teamwork subscale was significantly negatively associated with FCV-19S-J, HADS-anxiety, and HADS-depression (ß = -0.171, p = 0.004; ß = -0.151, p = 0.012; ß = -0.225, p < 0.001, respectively). Medical office staff showed significant positive associations with FCV-19S-J and HADS-depression (ß = 0.219, p = 0.005; ß = 0.201, p = 0.009, respectively), and medical social workers with HADS-anxiety and HADS-depression (ß = -0.166, p = 0.011; ß = -0.214, p < 0.001, respectively) compared with doctors. The unmet support need for expert lectures on COVID-19 was significantly positively associated with FCV-19S-J (ß = 0.131, p = 0.048), and the unmet support need for support systems for psychological stress and emotional exhaustion was significantly positively associated with HADS-anxiety (ß = 0.141, p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Fear of COVID-19 infection and depression of nurses, medical office staff, and other occupations was significantly higher than those of doctors. These findings suggest that non-physicians were more likely to be fearful and depressed during the COVID-19 pandemic; thus, it is necessary to tailor mental health support based on occupation in the home care setting.

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Emotional Impact on Healthcare Professions.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in March 2020, has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people around the world in just a few months, putting at great risk the commitment of healthcare workers unprepared to manage a worldwide phenomenon at great risk. In the early stages especially, medical staff had to deal with the pandemic at the expense of their physical and mental health, putting them particularly at risk for experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study aims to analyze the psychopathological aspects associated with PTSD, focusing on the emotional impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare professionals compared with a control group. The sample analyzed over 2 months, from March to May 2021, included 214 participants into two groups, i.e., healthcare professionals (N = 107) and a control group (N = 107). The online assessment instrument used consisted of an anonymous questionnaire, assembled ad hoc with demographic information and different standardized assessment scales (e.g., Fear of COVID-19 scale, Profile of Mood States, and Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey), while a further section of the survey used the DSM-5 criteria to investigate Posttraumatic stress disorder (e.g., COVID-19-PTSD). The results reported that healthcare professionals had a consistent perception of stress (mean = 26.18, SD = 14.60), but not at a level significantly higher than other categories of workers (mean = 25.75, SD = 14.65; t = 0.20, p = 0.84). However, they showed less emotional disturbance than the control sample, better anxiety management skills, and lower levels of depressive disorder and mental confusion. Specifically, the healthcare professionals showed a condition of emotional exhaustion (T = 0.64, D = 0.74, A = 0.62, S = 0.75, C = 0.64) and depersonalization (T = 0.41, D = 0.52, A = 0.49, S = 0.60, C = 0.40), which is common in the burnout syndrome. In conclusion, the results obtained are useful in understanding the determinants of the emotional involvement of healthcare professions and the risk of burnout syndrome and, therefore, for planning activities and support paths for these workers who are particularly at risk during prolonged and pervasive crises, such as the pandemic.

Validation of the Canadian French version of the fear of COVID-19 scale in the general population of Quebec.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to develop a Canadian French translation of the fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S) and assess its psychometric characteristics. METHODS: A forward and backtranslation process was conducted for the Canadian French version of the FCV-19S. The guidance of the ISPOR task force for translation and cultural adaptation was followed and cognitive debriefing interviews were conducted with six citizens. The final proofread Canadian French FCV-19S was then administered to a large sample of citizens from the province of Quebec in Canada through an online survey. A quota sampling was conducted in 2020. Respondents from the survey also completed the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation (CORE)-6D and the Sense of Coherence (SOC-3) questionnaires. Several psychometric tests were performed to investigate the reliability (internal consistency) and validity of the Canadian French FCV-19S, including construct validity, concurrent validity, and Rasch analysis. RESULTS: The translation process was conducted without any major difficulties. The cognitive debriefing interviews led to no change in the reconciled translation. The survey collected answers from 3428 citizens. Results indicated that the factor structure of the Canadian French FCV-19S is a unidimensional factor fitting well with the data. The scale showed adequate reliability (Cronbach's alpha of .903) and concurrent validity, as indicated by significantly negative correlation with CORE-6D (r = -.410) and SOC-3 (r = -.233). The Canadian French FCV-19S properties tested using Rasch analysis was also very satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study indicated that the Canadian French version of FCV-19S is a unidimensional tool with robust psychometric properties in the adult's population of all ages residing in the province of Quebec, Canada.

Relationships between the Fear of COVID-19 Scale and regional brain atrophy in mild cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported that the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) influenced cognitive function in the elderly. However, the effect of COVID-19-related fear on brain atrophy has not been evaluated. In this study, we evaluated the relation between brain atrophy and the effect of COVID-19-related fear by analysing changes in brain volume over time using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Participants were 25 Japanese patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or subjective cognitive decline (SCD), who underwent 1.5-tesla MRI scan twice, once before and once after the pandemic outbreak of COVID-19, and the Fear of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Scale (FCV-19S) assessment during that period. We computed regional brain atrophy per day between the 1st and 2nd scan, and evaluated the relation between the FCV-19S scores and regional shrinkage. RESULTS: There was significant positive correlation between the total FCV-19S score and volume reduction per day in the right posterior cingulate cortex. Regarding the subscales of FCV-19S, we found significant positive correlation between factor 2 of the FCV-19S and shrinkage of the right posterior cingulate cortex. CONCLUSIONS: There was positive correlation between the FCV-19S score and regional brain atrophy per day. Although it is already known that the psychological effects surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic cause cognitive function decline, our results further suggest that anxiety and fear related to COVID-19 cause regional brain atrophy.

Psychometric evaluation of fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) among Chinese primary and middle schoolteachers, and their students.

Utilizing a large-scale cross-sectional survey, the present study tested the advanced psychometric properties of Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) in specific populations (i.e., primary and middle schoolteachers, and their students). The present study also examined the association between perceived fear of COVID-19 and psychological distress among home-room teachers (i.e., teachers who teach all their students in one classroom all day) and their students. The results among participants (11,134 teachers and 4,335 students) indicated good internal reliability of FCV-19S and excellent factorial validity with a two-factor structure utilizing these specific populations. Furthermore, the multilevel analysis showed that home-room teachers' psychological distress, but not fear of COVID-19, was positively associated with their students. In sum, the FCV-19S is a useful tool to assess the fear of COVID-19 on potentially vulnerable populations (i.e., primary/middle schoolteachers and their students). Future studies are encouraged to use the present study's findings to investigate possible underlying mechanisms for developing effective coping strategies and interventions. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-021-02471-3.

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

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.