Background: The present study aimed to translate the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) into the Korean language and test the validity and reliability of the translated Korean version. Methods: An online questionnaire survey was conducted with 300 adults (aged ≥19 years) living in South Korea. The data collection period was 1 June to 15 October 2020. The Korean version of the FCV-19S (KFCV-19S) was tested in terms of content validity, construct validity, criterion validity, item response theory, and reliability. Results: When the content and construct validity of the FCV-19S was tested, the results showed that all items could be retained in the Korean version. When the criterion validity was tested based on correlation analysis between the KFCV-19S and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the results showed a positive correlation (r = 0.53, p < 0.001). Item suitability test results showed that all items were within the reference value of 0.5–1.5. Internal consistency reliability test results showed a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.81. Conclusion: The applicability of the KFCV-19S for identifying the level of fear Korean people experience regarding COVID-19 was verified. This tool is recommended for use in future assessments of Korean populations regarding levels of fear and anxiety regarding COVID-19.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, infections, fear, Republic of Korea, 【초록키워드】 Anxiety, reliability, Population, Validity, scale, assessment, South Korea, questionnaire, Korean, Correlation analysis, positive correlation, item, criterion, applicability, Cronbach’s alpha, construct validity, inventory, internal, conducted, translated, retained, translate, Korean language, was tested, 【제목키워드】 scale, Korean, Version,