Psychometric Validation of the Brief Coronavirus Threat Scale (BCTS) Across Nine Countries

Abstract

In this paper, we report the development of the five-item Brief Coronavirus Threat Scale (BCTS) to assess perceived coronavirus threat. Using exploratory (Study 1, N = 735) and confirmatory (Study 2, N = 3,977) factor analysis, we substantiate the structural validity of the scale with North American, European, Israeli, and Chinese adults. Additionally, we provide evidence for the criterion validity of the scale by examining its association with theoretically and practically important variables (e.g., mask wearing). In sum, we argue that the BCTS is a parsimonious, valid, reliable, and unidimensional measure of coronavirus threat, with psychological implications and international application.