Coronavirus Pandemic Anxiety Scale (CPAS-11): Development and Initial Validation

Abstract

The mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will increase as the outbreak continues and persist even after the pandemic passes. We developed a 11-item Coronavirus Pandemic Anxiety Scale (CPAS-11) to measure symptoms of anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic to help identify individuals who might need mental health services. In developing the scale items, we considered previous research and theory on anxiety symptoms and symptoms reported by clinically referred cases in the Philippines. The scale was validated in a Filipino sample (N=925). Exploratory factor analysis indicated two factors corresponding to somatic and non-somatic symptoms; confirmatory factor analysis showed good fit for the two-factor model. CPAS-11 showed good internal consistency, convergent and divergent validity, and screening accuracy. A cutoff score of 15 showed adequate sensitivity and specificity to distinguish GAD-7 screened participants. The results support the viability of CPAS-11 as a screening tool to identify individuals experiencing COVID-19-related anxiety.

Explanatory Model of Perceived Stress in the General Population: A Cross-Sectional Study in Peru During the COVID-19 Context

“…In order to evaluate symptoms of mental health impairment, generic scales like the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) ( Levis et al, 2019 ) and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) ( Toussaint et al, 2020 ) had been broadly accepted for the appropriate screening measures. Many new scales design specifically for the current pandemic had been developed situation ( Bernardo et al, 2020 ; Lee, 2020 ; Tavormina et al, 2020 ), however, their lack of validation in our context. Still, the generic scales are being used in the pandemic context ( Luan et al, 2020 ), and standardized a point for comparison with other populations.…”

The development of coronaphobia scale and psychometric effect among UAE people

“…The preliminary data screening suggested that 35 items of the coronaphobia scale were appropriate for conducting confirmatory factor analysis ( Bernardo et al, 2020 ). There were no issues relating to missing data, singularity, sample size, multi-collinearity, and non-normality.…”

“…The current study’s findings add to the validity and reliability of previous scales by proving the robust psychometric features within the communities in UAE. In some circumstances, there might be some benefit for the individual by minimizing risky behaviors and promoting virus-mitigating responses ( Bernardo et al, 2020 ; Thompson, 2004 ; Ford et al, 1986 ). Fear symptomology has been linked to developing common mental diseases like depression, anxiety, and drug abuse disorders ( Brown, 2015 ).…”

Health inequity in pandemic anxiety about COVID-19 infection and socioeconomic consequences in Japan: A structural equation modeling approach

“…As such, there has been increasing recognition of the multidimensionality of COVID-related anxiety during the pandemic, and several new COVID-specific anxiety measures have been developed, tested and validated ( Ahorsu et al, 2020 ; Bernardo et al, 2020 ; McElroy et al, 2020 ; Taylor et al, 2020 ). Although the majority of the COVID-specific anxiety measures address a single dimension of anxiety related to COVID-19 as a disease itself, a relevant multidimensional measure was also developed, called the “COVID-19 Stress Scales” that comprise five dimensions and thirty-three specific indicators ( Taylor et al, 2020 ).…”