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

INTRODUCTION: Both the COVID-Anxiety Scale and the Fear of Coronavirus-19 Scale have been recently developed to facilitate research on COVID-19 anxiety. OBJECTIVES: To examine the psychometric properties of Russian translations of the COVID-Anxiety Scale and the Fear of Coronavirus-19 Scale. METHODS: In 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. RESULTS: First, 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. CONCLUSIONS: These 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.