Factor structure and measurement invariance of the Chinese version of the COVID-19 Phobia Scale in depressive symptoms sample during COVID-19 closure: An exploratory structural equation modeling approach

A cross-sectional survey on COVID-19 phobia and its influencing factors among undergraduate nursing students

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the psychological well-being of undergraduate nursing students in China. It is vital to have an understanding of their COVID-19 phobia and its predictors, especially during transitions in public health policy.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the situation and factors contributing to COVID-19 phobia among nursing students in Southwestern China.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in December 2022 among nursing undergraduates in southwestern China. A convenience sample of 317 undergraduate nursing students from all grades at a medical university in Chengdu was assessed using the COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P).

RESULTS

The mean COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-SC) score was 52.92 (± 13.02), indicating moderate levels of phobia, with gender, chronic disease, and perceived susceptibility being significant predictors. 11.67% of the students reported an infection history, while 81.39% knew an infected individual. Notably, fourth-year students showed significantly higher phobia level than first-year. Gender, chronic disease, perceived susceptibility, and risk significantly predicted COVID-19 phobia, explaining 16.4% of the variance Results of the thematic analysis revealed four main themes related to COVID-19 phobia and career choice among nursing undergraduates: concerns of infection risk, professional commitment, compromise and acceptance, and confronting phobia.

CONCLUSIONS

This study discovered a significant level of COVID-19 phobia among undergraduate nursing students and identified several risk factors, including being female, having chronic diseases, perceiving a high susceptibility to the virus, and perceiving a high level of harm after infection. These findings highlight the importance of educators focusing on the mental well-being of nursing students, particularly seniors, to reduce the impact of phobia on their social interactions and career aspirations. This will help ensure that they are well-prepared for their future roles in healthcare.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Chinese version of the Malocclusion Impact Scale for Early Childhood (MIS-EC/C)

BACKGROUND

The Malocclusion Impact Scale for Early Childhood (MIS-EC) is a newly developed questionnaire used to measure the parental perceptions of the impact of malocclusion on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of preschool children aged 3-5 years. This study describes the cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the MIS-EC questionnaire into Chinese version (MIS-EC/C).

METHODS

The MIS-EC/C was developed in accordance with international standards. The scale was then evaluated in a cross-sectional study comprising 210 preschool children aged 3-5 years. The reliability of the MIS-EC/C was tested using internal consistency and test-retest reliability analyses. Cross-cultural validity, discriminant validity and convergent validity were tested.

RESULTS

The Cronbach's α value and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value for the MIS-EC/C were 0.943 and 0.873, respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the fitting indicators of the two-factor model all reached the standard. The MIS-EC/C can differentiate preschool children with malocclusion from those without malocclusion. In addition, there is a good relationship between the MIS-EC/C and the general oral health question.

CONCLUSION

The MIS-EC/C is a reliable and effective assessment tool for assessing the effect of malocclusion on the OHRQoL of preschool children in China.