Video Conferencing from Crises and Disasters to Daily Life: Reviewing the Psychometric Properties of the Zoom Exhaustion and Fatigue Scale and Determining the Cut-off Score

Abstract

Video conferencing solutions have become a primary tool to sustain general operations during crises or disasters, and their usage is increasingly widespread even under normal circumstances. This study aims to examine the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Zoom Exhaustion and Fatigue Scale (ZEFS) and obtain a cut-off score from the scale to distinguish the state of feeling mentally exhausted and fatigued. The study was conducted with 270 university students. Participants completed an information form, the ZEFS, and the Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFS). In confirmatory factor analysis, the 5-factor structure in the original form of the scale was achieved. Significant correlations were found between ZEFS and CFS scores, with ZEFS scores predicting CFS scores. Significant results were found among video conferencing evaluation, attendance numbers, health complaints, and ZEFS variables. In the ROC analysis, the mean cut-off score was found to be 1.96. According to the cut-off score, total CFS score, number of video conferencing attendances, perceived burden, and enjoyment differed. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was .95 for the entire scale, ranging from .87 to .92 for its subscales. The results indicate that the Turkish version of ZEFS is a psychometrically adequate measurement tool for assessing and distinguishing exhaustion and fatigue caused by the increasing use of video conferencing in the digital age.