Validity and reliability of the Thai version of the Zoom Exhaustion and Fatigue Scale (ZEF-T)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective Overuse of video conferencing during the COVID-19 pandemic may contribute to the new mental health problem called ‘Zoom fatigue’. This study examined convergent validity, factor validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the Thai version of the Zoom Exhaustion & Fatigue Scale (ZEF-T). Methods The participants were 386 medical students from Thammasat University. Convergent validity was based on comparing ZEF-T scores with the Maslach Burnout Inventory – Student Survey (MBI-SS). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was done to examine factor validity. Test-retest reliability was evaluated in 25 participants using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland–Altman plot. Results The ZEF-T demonstrated a positive correlation with emotional exhaustion of MBI-SS. (r = 0.42, p < 0.001). The CFA showed a satisfactory fit and supported the five-factor model with acceptable fit statistics. All items had factor loading of more than 0.7. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the total ZEF-T scores was excellent with the alpha of 0.93 and ICC 0.94 (p < 0.001), respectively. Conclusion The ZEF-T was shown to be a valid and reliable assessment for measuring zoom fatigue in Thai university students.