Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been a source of fear around the world. We asked whether the measurement of this fear is trustworthy and comparable across countries. In particular, we explored the measurement invariance and cross-cultural replicability of the widely used Fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S), testing community samples from 48 countries (N = 14,558). The findings indicate that the FCV-19S has a somewhat problematic structure, yet the one-factor solution is replicable across cultural contexts and could be used in studies that compare people who vary on gender and educational level. The validity of the scale is supported by a consistent pattern of positive correlations with perceived stress and general anxiety. However, given the unclear structure of the FCV-19S, we recommend using latent factor scores, instead of raw scores, especially in cross-cultural comparisons.

РезюмеСтандартизация на скалата за равнище на себеоценката на Розенберг беше извършена върху извадка от 1498 изследвани лица на възраст от 14 до 64 години. Българският вариант на скалата показа добра вътрешна консистентност (алфа на Кронбах -0,82). Експлораторният факторен анализ доведе до двуфакторно решение, като негативните айтеми, както в много други изследвания, се обособяват във втори фактор. Не установихме различия между мъжете и жените в равнището на себеоценката. Изследваните, по-възрастни от 30 години, имат малко по-висока себеоценка от по-младитe: t(1496) = 3,52, p < 0,001, размер на ефекта d = 0,18. Средното равнище на себеоценка е с 5 пункта над теоретичната средна на скалата, с което се потвърждава универсално установяваната тенденция към висока себеоценка. Данните от редица изследвания със скалата са в подкрепа на нейната конструктна валидност. Ключови думи: Скала на Розенберг за измерване на себеоценката, българска стандартизация AbstractA Bulgarian standardization of Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale was made on a sample of 1498 subjects, aged 14 through 64. The Bulgarian version of the scale showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha -.82). Exploratory factor analysis led to a two-factor solution, as in many other studies, with negative items loading on a second factor. There were no sex differences in the level of selfesteem. Subjects older than 30 years had slightly higher self-esteem than younger subjects: t(1496) = 3.52, p < .001, d = 0.18. The mean level of self-esteem was 5 points above the theoretical midpoint of the scale, thus confirming the universal tendency for positive selfevaluation. Several studies gave support for the construct validity of the scale.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on physical and mental health of people and their daily functioning in all areas of life. The aim of the current study was to examine the perceived effects of pandemic on love, social and professional life. In March 2021, an anonymous survey was conducted online among Bulgarian adults including 450 participants. Especially for this study three scales were developed reflecting deterioration of love and social relations and the quality of work life. Their relationships with fear of COVID-19 and perceived stress were investigated as well as the role of some demographic factors. Results indicated that social relations are deteriorating the most, followed by love relations and quality of professional life. Fear of COVID-19 was most strongly associated with negative experiences in social life (r=0.28 p=0.000). Perceived stress was associated moderately and positively with decline of the three life areas (r=0.30, p=0.000). Gender differences were not found in the level of stress and fear, but these variables correlated in a different way with social, love and professional areas in the groups of men and women. Men reported for more negative effects of pandemic on their love relations than women (t=2.14, p=0.03). Love relations also became more problematic for people who are single compared to those who are married or have partners and as well as for respondents who do not have children. Age, education, tenure and place of living did not relate to decline of quality of love, social and professional life.