The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S): A Study of Iranian University Students

Abstract

The aims of the present study were to (a) assess psychometric properties and explore the factorial structure of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), (b) explore correlation of the FCV-19S scores with the Coronavirus Disease Concern Scale (COVID-19CS), and (c) examine gender differences. This was a cross-sectional study. A sample of 97 medical students responded to the Farsi versions of the FCV-19S and the COVID-19CS. Cronbach's α for the FCV-19S was .87. Two factors were extracted for the FCV-19S labeled Fearful/Anxious and Somatic/Vegetative. A good fit was found for the bifactorial solution. The FCV-19S score was positively correlated with the COVID-19CS score. Females scored higher than males on the FCV-19S. The study adds evidence that the FCV-19S is a two-dimensional scale. We suggest its use as a screening tool to identify those with extremely high scores, who may be in need of psychological or educational interventions.