The Pandemic Paranoia Scale (PPS): factor structure and measurement invariance across languages.

Area of Science:

• Psychological science
• Public health
• Sociology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic created a context of interpersonal threat, with others perceived as sources of contagion.
• This led to heightened suspicion and mistrust, termed pandemic paranoia, necessitating a reliable measurement tool.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a self-report measure for pandemic paranoia.
• To assess heightened suspicion and mistrust related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Methods:

• An international consortium developed the Pandemic Paranoia Scale (PPS) with 28 initial items.
• Data were collected from over 2500 participants across the UK, USA, Germany, Hong Kong, and Australia.
• Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used for scale validation, alongside measurement invariance and reliability analyses.

Main Results:

• A 25-item, three-factor solution (persecutory threat, paranoid conspiracy, interpersonal mistrust) was identified.
• Confirmatory factor analysis supported the scale's structure and fit across diverse samples.
• The scale demonstrated good test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and convergent validity, though scalar invariance was not achieved across cultures.

Conclusions:

• The Pandemic Paranoia Scale (PPS) is an internationally validated and reliable instrument.
• It can enhance understanding of pandemic impacts on paranoia.
• The PPS can aid in identifying and supporting individuals affected by pandemic-specific paranoia.