Development and psychometric validation of the Pandemic Risk Perception Scale in healthcare professionals

Perceived pandemic-related risk may influence emotional responses, preventive behaviors, and psychological adjustment among healthcare professionals working in high-risk clinical settings. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Pandemic Risk Perception Scale (PRPS) in healthcare professionals.

A cross-sectional psychometric study was conducted with 405 healthcare professionals aged 22-65 years working in emergency and critical care settings in southern Spain. The PRPS was developed from an initial pool of 23 items and reduced to 12 items based on item analysis and exploratory examination of its dimensional structure. Its factor structure was subsequently examined using confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency was assessed using McDonald's omega. Evidence of validity based on relationships with other variables was examined through correlations with depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and psychological wellbeing.

Confirmatory factor analysis supported a unidimensional structure, with satisfactory overall model fit (χ² = 168.31, df = 54, CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.99, RMSEA = 0.07, 90% CI [0.06, 0.08]). Standardized factor loadings ranged from 0.56 to 0.92, and McDonald's omega was 0.95. PRPS scores were positively associated with depressive symptoms (r = 0.44, p < 0.001) and negatively associated with psychological wellbeing (r = -0.22, p < 0.001). The association with generalized anxiety symptoms was small and not statistically significant (r = 0.069, p = 0.164).

The findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the PRPS as a brief and reliable measure of perceived pandemic-related risk among healthcare professionals. Its associations with depressive symptoms and psychological wellbeing provide additional evidence of validity based on relationships with other variables. Further validation in independent and diverse samples is needed before extending its use to other populations, healthcare systems, or future public health emergencies.