Psychometric Properties of the Fear of Monkeypox Scale among Men Who Have Sex with Men

Objectives: An outbreak of monkeypox (Mpox) appeared suddenly and rapidly spread worldwide during 2022. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at a high risk of contracting Mpox compared to other cohorts. In the present study, we intended to examine the psychometric properties of a newly developed scal...

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Main Authors: Chung-Ying Lin, Amir H. Pakpour, Mark D. Griffiths, Chien-Wen Lin, Cheng-Fang Yen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2024-12-01
Series:Taiwanese Journal of Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/TPSY.TPSY_34_24
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author Chung-Ying Lin
Amir H. Pakpour
Mark D. Griffiths
Chien-Wen Lin
Cheng-Fang Yen
author_facet Chung-Ying Lin
Amir H. Pakpour
Mark D. Griffiths
Chien-Wen Lin
Cheng-Fang Yen
author_sort Chung-Ying Lin
collection DOAJ
description Objectives: An outbreak of monkeypox (Mpox) appeared suddenly and rapidly spread worldwide during 2022. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at a high risk of contracting Mpox compared to other cohorts. In the present study, we intended to examine the psychometric properties of a newly developed scale among MSM: the Fear of Mpox Scale (FMS) assessing the fear of Mpox. Methods: This is an online study. The factor structures of the FMS were first examined using exploratory factor analysis. After determining the factor structure, the FMS was further examined for (a) internal consistency using Cronbach’s α and (b) concurrent validity using correlations with anxiety, depression, and risk perception of contracting Mpox, and the known-group validity by comparing the scores of the FMS across MSM with sexual orientation and education level. Results: In total, 389 MSM participated in this study. The results indicated that the FMS had a one-factor structure. The FMS had acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.911) and concurrent validity (associated with anxiety [p < 0.01], depression [p < 0.001], and risk perception [p < 0.001]). No significant difference in the FMS scores was found between the groups with regard to sexual orientation or educational level. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that the psychometric properties of the FMS were good and that they can be used for assessing the fear of Mpox among MSM.
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spelling doaj-art-d54ae5cc1d2c454cb2d2f657c25f9b892025-01-16T08:37:19ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsTaiwanese Journal of Psychiatry1028-36842666-20782024-12-0138419319710.4103/TPSY.TPSY_34_24Psychometric Properties of the Fear of Monkeypox Scale among Men Who Have Sex with MenChung-Ying LinAmir H. PakpourMark D. GriffithsChien-Wen LinCheng-Fang YenObjectives: An outbreak of monkeypox (Mpox) appeared suddenly and rapidly spread worldwide during 2022. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at a high risk of contracting Mpox compared to other cohorts. In the present study, we intended to examine the psychometric properties of a newly developed scale among MSM: the Fear of Mpox Scale (FMS) assessing the fear of Mpox. Methods: This is an online study. The factor structures of the FMS were first examined using exploratory factor analysis. After determining the factor structure, the FMS was further examined for (a) internal consistency using Cronbach’s α and (b) concurrent validity using correlations with anxiety, depression, and risk perception of contracting Mpox, and the known-group validity by comparing the scores of the FMS across MSM with sexual orientation and education level. Results: In total, 389 MSM participated in this study. The results indicated that the FMS had a one-factor structure. The FMS had acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.911) and concurrent validity (associated with anxiety [p < 0.01], depression [p < 0.001], and risk perception [p < 0.001]). No significant difference in the FMS scores was found between the groups with regard to sexual orientation or educational level. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that the psychometric properties of the FMS were good and that they can be used for assessing the fear of Mpox among MSM.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/TPSY.TPSY_34_24anxiety and depressioncomorbidityfear of covid-19risk perception
spellingShingle Chung-Ying Lin
Amir H. Pakpour
Mark D. Griffiths
Chien-Wen Lin
Cheng-Fang Yen
Psychometric Properties of the Fear of Monkeypox Scale among Men Who Have Sex with Men
Taiwanese Journal of Psychiatry
anxiety and depression
comorbidity
fear of covid-19
risk perception
title Psychometric Properties of the Fear of Monkeypox Scale among Men Who Have Sex with Men
title_full Psychometric Properties of the Fear of Monkeypox Scale among Men Who Have Sex with Men
title_fullStr Psychometric Properties of the Fear of Monkeypox Scale among Men Who Have Sex with Men
title_full_unstemmed Psychometric Properties of the Fear of Monkeypox Scale among Men Who Have Sex with Men
title_short Psychometric Properties of the Fear of Monkeypox Scale among Men Who Have Sex with Men
title_sort psychometric properties of the fear of monkeypox scale among men who have sex with men
topic anxiety and depression
comorbidity
fear of covid-19
risk perception
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/TPSY.TPSY_34_24
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