Balázs PG, Mitev A, Brodszky V. Parallel exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of the Hungarian Fear of COVID-19 Scale in a large general population sample: a psychometric and dimensionality evaluation.
BMC Public Health 2022;
22:1438. [PMID:
35902834 PMCID:
PMC9333073 DOI:
10.1186/s12889-022-13789-3]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
This study aims to confirm validity and reliability of the Hungarian version of Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and evaluate its dimensional structure.
METHODS
Cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2021 among Hungarian general population. In addition to classical test theory methods, construct dimensionality of FCV-19S was assessed using EFA with principal axis factoring method and CFA with diagonally-weighted least squares estimation. Fear score was compared in age, gender, educational level, vaccination and infection subgroups.
RESULTS
Significant differences in FCV-19S mean scores were observed between three subgroups (age, gender, vaccination). Items showed good internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.88). EFA identified two latent factors (eig = 4.2 and 1.02), though parallel analysis supports the one-factor model. The two-dimensional structure was confirmed by CFA, items 3,4,6,7 correlated with Factor 1 (physiological fear), items 1,2,5 with Factor 2 (emotional fear).
CONCLUSION
The Hungarian version of FCV-19S seems valid and reliable. The EFA identified two-latent factors (emotional and physiological fear), that was confirmed by CFA. The two-factor structure had better model fit, though its' acceptance is limited.
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