Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1893/34060
Appears in Collections:Economics Working Papers
Title: Validation of the Worries Emerging from the Covid-19 Pandemic (WECP) Scale
Author(s): Comerford, David
Olivarius, Olivia
Bell, David
Douglas, Elaine
Citation: Comerford D, Olivarius O, Bell D & Douglas E (2022) Validation of the Worries Emerging from the Covid-19 Pandemic (WECP) Scale.
Keywords: Covid-19
fear
worries
resilience
pandemic
scale validation
Issue Date: 31-Jan-2022
Date Deposited: 11-Mar-2022
Abstract: Background and Objectives: Covid-19 has caused substantial disruption to how we live, work and socialise and has evoked concerns and worries regarding many aspects of life. As the UK was easing Covid-19 restrictions in the period March – May 2021, we devised and validated a Worries Emerging from the Covid-19 Pandemic scale (the WECP scale). Research Design and Methods: We devised 100 items that factor analyses over two rounds of data collection on UK residents reduced to a 14-item scale. The resultant WECP scale captures the following dimensions: worries about the future course of the virus; worries about readjusting to society; feelings of isolation; worries about the continuation or reintroduction of restrictions; worries for family and friends; financial worries and worries regarding the safety and efficacy of Covid vaccines. Results: Scores on our WECP scale are independently predicted by three scales from the peer-reviewed literature: one that captures fear concerning the disease itself, one that captures broader worries around the pandemic and one that measures resilience. WECP scores are lower among older respondents (age 70+) than among younger respondents (age 40-49) and this is largely explained by financial worries and worries regarding the efficacy and risks of the Covid-19 vaccines. Discussion: The WECP scale provides a uniquely insightful measure of the worries experienced by the older UK population as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic. It can help identify which groups have been left feeling vulnerable by the pandemic and on which dimensions those groups would profit from support.
Type: Working Paper
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/1893/34060
Rights: Authors retain copyright. Proper attribution of authorship and correct citation details should be given.
Affiliation: Economics
Economics
Economics
Economics
Licence URL(s): https://storre.stir.ac.uk/STORREEndUserLicence.pdf

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