Measuring COVID-19 Stressors and Their Impact: The Second-Order Factor Model and Its Four First-Order Factors: Infection Fears, Economic, Grief, and Lockdown Stressors

Abstract

The current research aims to test the new measurement model of COVID-19 stressors which includes four stressor types: infection fears, lockdown, economic, and grief in one second-order factor. Using a sample of 2732 from 11 Arab countries and measures for COVID-19 stressors, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and executive function, we conducted exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, multigroup invariance, and correlations. A second-order factor with four first-order factors model fit the data well. All factors were significantly correlated with PTSD, depression, anxiety, working memory, and inhibition deficits. The measure and its four subscales have robust psychometrics and were invariant across genders.