COVID-19 Worry and Related Factors: Turkish Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the COVID-19 Worry Scale

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Coronavirus Worry Scale and related factors with COVID-19 worry. METHODS: The data were collected through online survey from 846 participants and final sample was 804 after excluding missing data. The psychometric properties of the Turkish Coronavirus Worry Scale were assessed through exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency reliability analysis, and Pearson product moment correlation with other psychological constructs. Finally, the one-way analysis of variance and independent samples t-test were utilized for comparing the Coronavirus Worry Scale scores between different socio-demographic and clinical variables. Higher Coronavirus Worry Scale scores suggested higher COVID-19 worry. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis explored the single-factor structure of the Turkish Coronavirus Worry Scale and confirmatory factor analysis confirmed this single-factor structure with good model fits. This scale had good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.92, McDonald’s ω = 0.92). The Coronavirus Worry Scale scores were significantly positively correlated with the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (r = 0.41, P < .01), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (r =0.67, P < .01), Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (r = 0.54, P < .01), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (r = 0.36, P < .01). COVID-19 worry was higher in females, those who had a chronic disease, the loss of first-degree or other relatives or close friends due to COVID-19, or those who had never been vaccinated for COVID-19. Those who obeyed the COVID-19 rules, such as wearing masks and physical distancing had higher Coronavirus Worry Scale scores. Also, those who avoided crowded environments to protect themselves from COVID-19 transmission had higher Coronavirus Worry Scale scores. CONCLUSION: These findings show that the Turkish Coronavirus Worry Scale is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing COVID-19 worry.