Dimensionality and Measurement Invariance of the 5-Item Coronavirus Fear Scale in Brazilian General Population

Q3 Medicine

Revista Colombiana de Psiquiatria Pub Date : 2025-07-01 Epub Date: 2023-07-31 DOI:10.1016/j.rcp.2023.07.001

Carlos Arturo Cassiani-Miranda , Leonardo Fernandes Martins , Telmo Mota Ronzani , Orlando Scoppetta , Yinneth Andrea Arismendy-López , Andrés Felipe Tirado-Otálvaro

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

The COVID-19 Fear Scale (FCV-19S) is the most widely used instrument to assess fear of coronaviruses. Although preliminary analyses of the Brazilian–Portuguese version showed promising data for the 7-item version, several studies in Latin America suggest that the 5- and 6-item versions present better psychometric indicators.

Objective

To replicate and compare the Brazilian–Portuguese version of the (FCV-5S), studying its homogeneity and dimensionality.

Methods

A total of 1003 adults between 18 and 78 voluntarily participated. The data were analyzed through exploratory factorial analysis and structural equations modeling. A Multiple Indicators and Multiples Causes model (MIMIC) was used to check the differential functioning of each item regressed on age. Likewise, Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega were calculated for FCV-5S. Finally, as a test of nomological validity, the mean scores and standard deviation between men and women were compared after testing similarity invariance.

Results

73.3% were younger adults (18–44 years old), 71.3% were women, and 59.7% had a university education. The 5-item version (FCV-5S) of the COVID-19 Fear Scale has better goodness-of-fit indicators than the 6-item version for a one-factor structure. FCV-5S accomplish with invariance by gender and partial invariance by age in the general population of Brazil.

Conclusions

The FCV-5S has a dimensional structure with partial invariance by gender and age and can be used to assess COVID-19 fear in the general population in Brazil.

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巴西普通人群冠状病毒恐惧5项量表的维度和测量不变性

COVID-19恐惧量表（FCV-19S）是最广泛使用的评估冠状病毒恐惧的工具。虽然对巴西-葡萄牙语版本的初步分析显示了7项版本的有希望的数据，但拉丁美洲的一些研究表明，5项和6项版本提供了更好的心理测量指标。目的复制和比较巴西-葡萄牙版本的FCV-5S，研究其同质性和维度。方法1003名年龄在18 ~ 78岁的成人自愿参与。通过探索性因子分析和结构方程建模对数据进行分析。采用多指标多原因模型（MIMIC）检验各项目随年龄回归的差异功能。同样，计算了FCV-5S的Cronbach's alpha和McDonald's omega。结果青年（18-44岁）占73.3%，女性占71.3%，受过大学教育的占59.7%。新冠肺炎恐惧量表的5项版本（FCV-5S）比单因素结构的6项版本具有更好的拟合优度指标。FCV-5S在巴西一般人群中具有性别不变性和年龄部分不变性。结论FCV-5S具有不同性别和年龄的部分不变性维度结构，可用于评估巴西普通人群的COVID-19恐惧程度。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Revista Colombiana de Psiquiatria Medicine-Psychiatry and Mental Health

CiteScore

2.50

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： Revista Colombiana de Psiquiatría (RCP) is a quarterly official publication of Colombian Psychiatry Association (March, June, September and December) and its purpose is to spread different the knowledge models that currently constitute the theoretical and practical body of our specialty. Psychiatrists, psychiatric residents, non psychiatric physicians, psychologists, philosophers or other health professionals or persons interested in this area can take part in the magazine. This journal publishes original works, revision or updating articles, case reports of all psychiatry and mental health areas, epistemology, mind philosophy, bioethics and also articles about methodology of investigation and critical reading.