Validation of the Malay Version of the COVID-19 Anxiety Scale in Malaysia

Chin Siang, Ang and Kai Wee, Lee and Meng Chuan, Ho and Siok Ping, Voon and Siew Mooi, Ching and Chai Eng, Tan and Fan Kee, Hoo and Pei Boon, Ooi (2022) Validation of the Malay Version of the COVID-19 Anxiety Scale in Malaysia. The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS), 29 (3). pp. 122-132. ISSN 1394-195X

PDF Validation of - Copy.pdf Download (178kB)

Abstract

Background: Malaysians are disillusioned with the increased number of COVID-19 infection cases and the prolonged lockdown period. As a result of COVID-19 mitigation measurements, Malaysians are experiencing emotional and psychological consequences such as anxiety. Thus, there is an urgent need to have an instrument that could serve as a tool to assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 among Malaysians rapidly. Methods: This study aimed to adapt and validate the Malay version of the COVID-19 Anxiety Scale (M-CAS) among Malaysian adults. The back-to-back translation was done to produce a M-CAS. Following face validation, M-CAS was self-administered to 225 participants from Malaysia via an online survey. The participants also completed the Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale (GAD-7), World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale, Abbreviated Version (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S). Data analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and Analysis of a Moment Structures. The psychometric properties of the M-CAS were examined via Cronbach alpha and confrmatory factor analysis. M-CAS scores were compared with the other tools to provide external validity. Results: The statistical analysis revealed that the M-CAS demonstrated adequate internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.890) and presented with a unidimensional factor structure. M-CAS scores were strongly correlated with GAD-7 (r = 0.511, P < 0.001) and FCV-19S (r = 0.652, P < 0.001). Lack of correlation between M-CAS and WHOQOL-BREF showed that M-CAS scores did not reflect perceived quality of life. Conclusion: The M-CAS is a valid and reliable tool in the Malay language that can be selfadministered among Malaysians to assess anxiety levels induced by COVID-19. The M-CAS has only 7 items and utilised little time in real-life clinical practice.

Actions (For repository members only: login required)

View Item