Fear and anxiety in professionals about COVID-19: Brazilian versions of measures

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this study was to adapt and verify the psychometric properties of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, from the data collection conducted with professionals who work directly in the fight against COVID-19 in Brazil. A total of 232 professionals participated (Mage = 32.9; SD = 7.6), most of them female (68.1%), who answered the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale instruments and a sociodemographic questionnaire. The adaptation process allowed identifying the content validity of the Brazilian versions and exploratory factorial analyses, followed by correlation studies showing evidence of internal structure validity and in relation to other (convergent) Fear of COVID-19 Scale and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale variables, which presented equally satisfactory reliability rates. Thus, the Brazilian versions of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale scales were made available with satisfactory psychometric qualities for use in the research and assessment of psychological aspects of health professionals.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• Emotional experiences
• Psychological tests