Confirming validity of The Fear of COVID-19 Scale in Japanese with a nationwide largescale sample

Assessing fear and anxiety regarding COVID-19 viral infection is essential for investigating mental health during this epidemic. We have developed and validated a Japanese-language version of The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) based on a large, nationwide residential sample (n = 6,750) recruited through news and social media responding to an online version of the questionnaire. Data was collected from August 4-25, 2020. Results correlated with K6, GAD-7 and IES-R psychological scales, and T-tests and analysis of variance identified associated factors. All indices indicated the two-factor model emotional fear reactions and symptomatic expressions of fear a better fit for our data than a single-factor model in Confirmatory Factor Analysis (chi(2) = 164.16, p<0.001, CFI 0.991, TLI = 0.985, RMSEA = 0.043). Socio-demographic factors identified as disaster vulnerabilities such as female sex, sexual minority, elderly, unemployment, and present psychiatric history associated with higher scores. However, respondent or family member experience of infection risk, or work/school interference from confinement, had greatest impact. Results suggest necessity of mental health support during this pandemic similar to other disasters.

Automated summary

Assessing fear and anxiety related to COVID-19 is vital for understanding mental health during the epidemic. A Japanese version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale was developed and validated, showing a two-factor model better fit the data. Certain demographic factors like being female, a sexual minority, elderly, unemployed, or having a psychiatric history were associated with higher scores, while experiences of infection risk or work/school interference had the greatest impact.