Measuring COVID-19 anxiety among russians: Examining the psychometric properties of russian translations of the covid-anxiety scale and the fear of coronavirus-19 scale

Lewis, C. A.; Sinelnikova, E.; Malik, J.

IntroductionBoth the COVID-Anxiety Scale and the Fear of Coronavirus-19 Scale have been recently developed to facilitate research on COVID-19 anxiety.ObjectivesTo examine the psychometric properties of Russian translations of the COVID-Anxiety Scale and the Fear of Coronavirus-19 Scale.MethodsIn order to examine the psychometric properties of Russian translations of the COVID-Anxiety Scale and the Fear of Coronavirus-19 Scale, a total of 341 Russian adults completed both measures.ResultsFirst, a high level of COVID-19 anxiety was found in the sample. Second, confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the Russian translations of both the COVID-Anxiety Scale and the Fear of Coronavirus-19 Scale had satisfactory psychometric properties, with both scales having a hypothesised one-factor structure. Third, a significant positive association was found between both the COVID anxiety scales. Fourth, higher COVID anxiety scores were associated with being female, and being older.ConclusionsThese findings provide initial evidence for the satisfactory properties of the Russian translations of the COVID-Anxiety Scale and the Fear of Coronavirus-19 Scale. Further research is suggested that examines the prevalence and psychological correlates of COVID-19 anxiety.