Abstract

PEREIRA, Henrique et al. Psychometric properties of the fear of and negative impact of COVID-19 scales. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2021, vol.22, n.2, pp.338-349.  Epub Aug 31, 2021. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/21psd220202.

This study aimed to psychometrically validate the fear of COVID-19 scale and the COVID-19 negative impact scale for the Portuguese-speaking population. 1537 individuals participated, with an average age of 33.54 years (SD: ± 12.88), ranging from 18 to 74 years. Regarding the fear of COVID-19 scale, consisting of 7 items, the data indicated psychometric properties with good internal consistency (α =.87), good factorial loads (ranging from to 65 to 80) and correlations between items >.30. Regarding the COVID-19 negative impact scale, consisting of 10 items, it was shown that it is a one-dimensional measure, internally consistent, with a Cronbach's alpha of .87. Regarding reliability, all corrected item-total correlations were above .30. Thus, it is concluded that the scales analyzed have very good psychometric properties and can be used in Portuguese-speaking contexts in order to contribute to the assessment of fear and the negative impact of COVID-19 and to develop strategic actions in order to minimize the occurrence of psychological and emotional problems in the population.

Keywords : COVID-19; fear; negative impact; psychometric properties; scales.

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