Table 2 Factor analysis of the different scales
Variable | Factor 1 | Communality | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Model 1: Cyberchondria severity scale | ||||
1. If I notice an unexplained bodily sensation I will search for it on the internet | 0.591 | 0.349 | ||
2. Researching symptoms or perceived medical conditions online distract me from reading news/sports/entertainment articles online | 0.670 | 0.449 | ||
3. I read different web pages about the same perceived condition | 0.725 | 0.525 | ||
4. I start to panic when I read online that a symptom I have is found in a rare/serious condition | 0.728 | 0.530 | ||
5. Researching symptoms or perceived medical conditions online lead me to consult with my GP | 0.683 | 0.467 | ||
6. I enter the same symptoms into a web search on more than one occasion | 0.764 | 0.584 | ||
7. Researching symptoms or perceived medical conditions online interrupt my work (e.g. writing emails, working on word documents or spreadsheets) | 0.822 | 0.675 | ||
8. I think I am fine until I read about a serious condition online | 0.745 | 0.555 | ||
9. I feel more anxious or distressed after researching symptoms or perceived medical conditions online | 0.748 | 0.560 | ||
10. Researching symptoms or perceived medical conditions online interrupt my offline social activities (e.g., reduces time spent with friends/family) | 0.782 | 0.611 | ||
11. I suggest to my GP/medical professional that I may need a diagnostic procedure that I read about online (e.g., a biopsy/ a specific blood test) | 0.744 | 0.553 | ||
12. Researching symptoms or perceived medical conditions online lead me to consult with other medical specialists (e.g., consultants) | 0.742 | 0.550 | ||
KMO = 0.923, Bartlett’s test of sphericity p < 0.001; Percentage of variance explained = 53.41% | ||||
Variable | Factor 1 | Factor 2 | Factor 3 | Communality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Model 2: YBOCS scale (using a promax rotation) | ||||
1. Time occupied by obsessive thoughts | 0.770 | |||
2. Interference due to obsessive thoughts | 0.800 | |||
3. Distress associated with obsessive thoughts | 0.922 | |||
4. Resistance against obsessions | 0.900 | |||
5. Degree of control over obsessive thoughts | 0.483 | |||
6. Time spent performing compulsive behaviors | 0.839 | |||
7. Interference due to compulsive behaviors | 0.922 | |||
8. Distress associated with compulsive behavior | 0.672 | |||
9. Resistance against compulsions | 0.811 | |||
10. Degree of control over compulsive behavior | 0.726 | |||
Percentage of variance explained | 46.07 | 11.31 | 10.07 | |
KMO = 0.841, Bartlett’s test of sphericity p < 0.001; Percentage of total variance explained = 67.45% | ||||
Variable | Factor 1 | Factor 2 | Communality | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Model 3: Fear of COVID-19 scale (using a promax rotation) | ||||
1. I am most afraid of Corona | 1.018 | 0.810 | ||
2. It makes me uncomfortable to think about Corona | 0.852 | 0.774 | ||
3. My hands become clammy when I think about Corona | 0.793 | 0.744 | ||
4. I am afraid of losing my life because of Corona | 0.561 | 0.616 | ||
5. When I watch news and stories about Corona on social media, I become nervous or anxious | 0.633 | 0.699 | ||
6. I cannot sleep because I’m worrying about getting Corona | 0.953 | 0.782 | ||
7. My heart races when I think about getting Corona | 0.895 | 0.782 | ||
Percentage of variance explained | 59.43 | 14.97 | ||
KMO = 0.838, Bartlett’s test of sphericity p < 0.001; Percentage of total variance explained = 74.40% | ||||