Validation of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (BP-OCS) using a large University Sample in Brazil

Abstract

We aimed to validate a Brazilian Portuguese version of the Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (BP-OCS) using a large sample of university students in Brazil (N = 1454). The scale showed solid psychometric characteristics in terms of internal consistency (α =.78), test–retest reliability (ICC =.86), factorial validity (PAF and CFA support), and construct validity. Additionally, BP-OCS scores were found to be higher among females, participants with diagnosed depression, anxiety, and self-reported anxiety. These findings suggest that the BP-OCS is a reliable and valid measure of persistent and disturbed thinking about COVID-19 for Brazilian university students.