Validation of the Korean version of the obsession with COVID-19 scale and the Coronavirus anxiety scale

In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Obsession with COVID-19 scale (OCS) and the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) were developed as screening tools for dysfunctional anxiety associated with the coronavirus. These scales have not yet been validated in the East Asia. The present study examined the validity of the OCS and the CAS with a sample of 329 Korean adults. We found that the OCS-Korean and CAS-Korean showed good psychometric properties and construct validity. Developing such valid screening tools across different cultures is vital for health practitioners and scholars alike during global infectious disease outbreaks.

Automated summary

The present study validated the Obsession with COVID-19 scale (OCS) and the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) in a sample of Korean adults, demonstrating good psychometric properties and construct validity. Developing such valid screening tools across different cultures is crucial for health practitioners and scholars during global infectious disease outbreaks.