Design and Validation of an Instrument to Evaluate Cognitive-Physiological Repercussions and Coping Strategies in a Pandemic Situation

Abstract

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly affected mental health worldwide, highlighting the need for reliable tools to assess emotional impact (cognitive-psysiological repercusiones) and coping strategies. To validate the psychometric properties of an evaluation instrument with an ad hoc design, called the Evaluation Inventory of Cognitive-Physiological Repercussions and Coping Strategies in a Pandemic Situation (EICPCP), which has two scales: “Cognitive and Physiological repercussions arising from the pandemic due to COVID-19” (RCFPC19-13) and “Coping strategies during the pandemic due to COVID-19” (EAPC19-15). A total of 1,629 participants (students, teachers, and healthcare professionals) from Spain and Colombia completed the instrument. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to assess their structure and reliability. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported the five proposed dimensions: cognitive and physiological impacts on the RCFPC19-13 scale, and adaptation, support, and organization on the EAPC19-15 scale. In addition, satisfactory internal consistency, reliability indices, and temporal stability were obtained for both scales. The EICPCP is a valid and reliable tool for evaluating the cognitive-physiological impact of the pandemic and coping strategies employed. This instrument provides valuable insights for clinical research and psychological interventions in pandemic-related mental-health studies..