Parallel exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of the Hungarian Fear of COVID-19 Scale in a large general population sample: a psychometric and dimensionality evaluation

Background: This study aims to confrm validity and reliability of the Hungarian version of Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and evaluate its dimensional structure. Methods: Cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2021 among Hungarian general population. In addition to classical test theory methods, construct dimensionality of FCV-19S was assessed using EFA with principal axis factoring method and CFA with diagonally-weighted least squares estimation. Fear score was compared in age, gender, educational level, vaccination and infection subgroups. Results: Signifcant diferences in FCV-19S mean scores were observed between three subgroups (age, gender, vaccination). Items showed good internal consistency (Cronbach α=0.88). EFA identifed two latent factors (eig=4.2 and 1.02), though parallel analysis supports the one-factor model. The two-dimensional structure was confrmed by CFA, items 3,4,6,7 correlated with Factor 1 (physiological fear), items 1,2,5 with Factor 2 (emotional fear). Conclusion: The Hungarian version of FCV-19S seems valid and reliable. The EFA identifed two-latent factors (emotional and physiological fear), that was confrmed by CFA. The two-factor structure had better model ft, though its’ acceptance is limited.