Preliminary validation of the Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS) in the Iranian sample

 Anxiety measurement tools have been developed for major health-threatening diseases such as SARS and MERS. There is no specific measurement tool for measuring the anxiety caused by Corona. The purpose of this study was to validate the Corona-related Anxiety Scale in the Iranian sample. 

 The research method was a descriptive correlational.308 individuals participated in the study through online recall. An 18-item Corona-related anxiety inventory was used to collect the data. The data were analyzed by using Guttman's λ2 and Cronbach's alpha internal consistency method. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using Lisrel-8.8 software was used to evaluate the tool construct validity. To standardize the raw scores, they were converted to standard T scores and percentile rank using Jmetrik-4.1.1 software and were prepared as normative tables. 

 The Guttman's λ2 value for the whole questionnaire was obtained as (λ = 0.922), Cronbach's alpha coefficient for psychological symptoms as (α = 0.879), physical symptoms as (α = 0.861), and for the whole questionnaire as (α= 0.919). The data of this research fit the two-factor model properly. Standard scores tables were plotted, and the range of scores of the questionnaire factors and total score of Corona-related anxiety severity was divided into three domains: mild, moderate, and severe. 

 Corona-related anxiety inventory has good validity in preliminary validation and can be used as a valid and scientific tool for measuring Corona-related anxiety.