Analysis of the Scale

The Coronavirus Reassurance-Seeking Behaviors Scale (CRBS-5) was developed in 2020 by a research team from Christopher Newport University, consisting of Lee, Jobe, Mathis, and Gibbons. The scale was designed to assess the incremental validity of coronaphobia (fear of COVID-19), showing that it exacerbated depression, generalized anxiety, and death anxiety. It also examines the impact of COVID-19 factors beyond sociodemographics, including factors like neuroticism, anxiety, and reassurance-seeking behaviors. These findings suggest that healthcare professionals need to be aware of coronaphobia, particularly as it relates to the pandemic, which has shown reliable increases in psychological distress.

Purpose

The CRBS was constructed to explore the issue of incremental validity through hierarchical multiple regression analysis. It found that coronaphobia heightened depression, generalized anxiety, and death anxiety. The scale investigates the COVID-19-related factors in conjunction with sociodemographics, neuroticism, anxiety, and reassurance-seeking behaviors. The research emphasizes the importance of recognizing coronaphobia as a behavioral response associated with the pandemic, especially due to its significant effects on psychological indicators.

Scoring of Questions

The Coronavirus Reassurance-Seeking Behaviors Scale (CRBS-5) is a brief scale consisting of 5 questions focused on reassurance-seeking behaviors in relation to COVID-19 infection concerns. Responses are based on a 5-point Likert scale from 0 (Not at all) to 4 (Almost every day, during the last two weeks).

Statistical Analysis

The questions on the CRBS-5 scale were answered by participants who selected the corresponding score from the Likert scale (0 = Not at all to 4 = Almost every day during the past two weeks) based on how often they experienced each behavior in the last two weeks.

Validity and Reliability

After utilizing the 5-question scale in the study, with participants rating from 0 to 4, a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.90 was found. This indicates a very good level of internal consistency, confirming that the CRBS scale provides reliable results.

References

Lee, S. A., Jobe, M. C., Mathis, A. A., & Gibbons, J. A. (2020). Incremental validity of coronaphobia: Coronavirus anxiety explains depression, generalized anxiety, and death anxiety. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 74, 102268.

For support in research with this scale, protocol development, data collection, and analysis of results, please refer to Datanalysis.

Tags: Coronavirus Reassurance-Seeking Behaviors Scale, CRBS-5, coronavirus, COVID-19, behavior, coronaphobia, anxiety