Adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the COVID-19 stress scales in Turkish sample

Abstract

This study aimed to adapt the COVID-19 Stress Scales (CSS) into Turkish and provide evidence for construct validity. For this purpose, firstly, Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was applied for the 5-factor model obtained during the development of CSS and the theoretically expected 6-factor model with total of 546 respondents. The findings revealed that the 6-factor model of CSS had a better fit in the Turkish sample. Factor loadings varied between .62 - .95 and correlations between subscales were between .44 - .76. Cronbach's Alpha and McDonald’s ω coefficients for each subscale indicated good-to-excellent internal consistency. To evaluate the criterion-related validity, the Turkish version of The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) was administered to the participants and the correlation coefficients between this scale and the six subscale of CSS were calculated. We also conducted the Rasch analysis with related items to provide psychometric evidence for their unidimensional structure of each of the six subscales. Lastly, Differential item functioning (DIF) analysis was performed across subgroups by gender, having COVID-19, and being a student. Overall, the results of both CFA and Rasch analyses provided evidence to support the substantive aspect of validity and the appropriateness of the CSS as a measure of COVID-19 stress level in a Turkish sample.