Psychosocial Reactions of COVID-19 in Pakistan: A Psychometric Study

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has created numerous psycho-social issues throughout the world. Aim: The current study is aimed at identifying and validating the psychosocial reactions of university students to current pandemic COVID-19. Methods: Mixed-methods research design was used. Initially, the presenting problems of 39 university studentswere collated and a list of 28 items was finalized and presented to 15 experienced clinical psychologists for the frequency of occurrence for Psychosocial Reaction Scale (PRS). An online survey was conducted on 510 university students with an age range of 17-26 (M=21.86; SD=2.94) and presented Psychosocial Reaction Scale (PRS) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) for construct validity. Results: Results of both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a two-factor model depressive symptoms and apprehension. The PRS shown a satisfactory internal consistency and construct validity. Conclusion: The findings are further discussed in the continual significance and counseling plans to handle adverse reactions of COVID-19 in Pakistani university students.