The Fear of Coronavirus-19 Infection Questionnaire: Factor Structure, Psychometric Properties, and Measurement Invariance among Hispanic Adults

Abstract

COVID-19-related fear requires effective tools to assess its occurrence and associations with pandemic-related domains. We examined the factor structure and measurement invariance (MI) of the Fear of Coronavirus-19 Infection Questionnaire (FOCI-Q) among Hispanics (aged 21–79) in Puerto Rico, who completed an online survey. An exploratory factor analysis (N = 527) yielded a two-factor solution: Obsessive/Agoraphobic Fears and Interpersonal Contact Fears. Through confirmatory factor analysis (Maximum Likelihood estimation and Satorra-Bentler corrections) with two samples (N = 525–696), this model showed adequate to excellent fit (TLI = .964–.979; CFI = .976–.986; RMSRA = .065–084; SRMSR = .029–.030). Reliability coefficients were > .90 across samples. Fornell and Larcker’s and Heterotrait-Monotrait validity criteria were met. FOCI-Q scores correlated positively with posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms but negatively with self-ratings of physical and mental health. The scale was invariant across sex and age groups. By documenting the structure, reliability, validity, and MI of the FOCI-Q, this study supports its use among Hispanic adults.