Measurement equivalence of neuropsychological tests across education levels in older adults

Objective. The objective was to determine whether neuropsychological tests provide an equivalent measure of the same psychological constructs in older adults with low versus higher levels of education. Method. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate the fit of a three-factor model (Verbal Ability, Visuospatial Ability, Long-Term Retention) to scores from the neuropsychological battery of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging (CSHA). Measurement equivalence of the model across lower educated (LE; ≤8 years) and higher educated (HE; ≥9 years) participants was evaluated using invariance testing. Results. The measurement model demonstrated adequate fit across LE and HE samples but the loadings of the 11 tests onto the three factors could not be constrained equally across groups. Animal Fluency and the Token Test were identified as noninvariant tests of Verbal Ability that, when freed from constraints, produced a partial metric invariance model. Scalar invariance testing identified the Buschke Cued Recall Test and Block Design as measures with invariant factor loadings but noninvariant intercepts. Analyses were replicated in age- and sex-matched subsamples. Conclusions. Metric and scalar invariance across HE and LE samples was achieved for seven of the 11 tests in the CSHA battery. Animal Fluency and the Token Test were noninvariant measures of Verbal Ability, suggesting that cognitive processes underlying performance on these tests may vary as a function of education. In addition, scores from Block Design and the Buschke Cued Recall Test were observed to differ in their scale of measurement between HE and LE examinees.     

Does the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) measure anxiety symptoms consistently across adolescence? The TRAILS study

We assessed if the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) measures anxiety symptoms similarly across age groups within adolescence. This is crucial for valid comparison of anxiety levels between different age groups. Anxiety symptoms were assessed biennially in a representative population sample (n = 2226) at three time points (age range 10–17 years) using the RCADS anxiety subscales (generalized anxiety disorder [GAD], obsessive‐compulsive disorder [OCD], panic disorder [PD], separation anxiety [SA], social phobia [SP]). We examined longitudinal measurement invariance of the RCADS, using longitudinal confirmatory factor analysis, by examining the factor structure (configural invariance), factor loadings (metric invariance) and thresholds (strong invariance). We found that all anxiety subtypes were configural invariant. Metric invariance held for items on the GAD, OCD, PD and SA subscales; yet, for the SP subscale three items showed modest longitudinal variation at age 10–12. Model fit decreased modestly when enforcing additional constraints across time; however, model fit for these models was still adequate to excellent. We conclude that the RCADS measures anxiety symptoms similarly across time in a general population sample of adolescents; hence, measured changes in anxiety symptoms very likely reflect true changes in anxiety levels. We consider the instrument suitable to assess anxiety levels across adolescence. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Psychometric properties of the Arabic self-report version of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire

Students in middle school tend to display emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBDs) compared to other forms of psychopathology. Early identification of EBDs is therefore a priority in order to prevent the chronic co-morbidity with other forms of psychopathology which may affect students’ academic achievement. Assessment of EBDs has been traditionally undertaken via proxy reporting; but psychometrically rigorous instruments are needed so that children and adolescents can report on their own emotions and behaviours. Such need increases in the Omani context given the lack of EBDs adequate assessment instruments. In the current study the factor structure of the Arabic self-report version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (A-SDQ) was examined in a sample of 815 middle school students (mean age = 14 years). The study tested the SDQ original five-factor model which received considerable empirical support. Responses on the A-SDQ were compared to responses obtained via proxy reports from teachers and parents through confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs). Results showed a reasonable fit for the three informant forms. Nevertheless, there were differences in item loadings across the three informant forms. Additionally, participants’ self-report responses were tested for invariance across gender. CFAs provided support to the invariance hypothesis for item loadings, indicating that the items were similarly valid indices of the five factors for males and females. Factor correlations, factor variances and item residuals were not invariant across gender.What this paper addsThis paper, to our knowledge, is the first research paper that provides empirical evidence on the Arabic self report version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (A-SDQ) within a school-based sample. Though the focus was on the self-report version we collected data from the proxy versions for parents and teachers to provide additional evidence on the construct validity of the (A-SDQ) through cross informant data.     

An Arabic validation of a depression inventory

The present study describes an Arabic cross-cultural validation of the Beck Depression Inventory. An Arab sample of 53 cases was subjected to the original validation procedures which involved a preliminary exercise and a translation from English to Arabic. Acceptable equivalent meanings of Beck's depth-of-depression criteria were established by the Arab clinicians so that independent and valid clinical ratings could be made. Statistical analyses of the internal consistency and stability of the Arabic-BDI indicated a high degree of reliability. Correlations between Arabic-BDI scores and Arab clinicians' ratings indicated a high degree of validity. The results of the cross-cultural validation study agree favorably with those of the original American validation. Although the Arabic inventory makes possible an assessment of the level and intensity of a reactive type depression suffered by Saudi Arab psychiatric outpatients living in the Eastern Province, it must be adapted dialectically for other Arab-speaking regions.     

The positive and negative affect schedule: psychometric properties of the korean version

Objective

The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) was developed as a measure of positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA). The aim here is to examine the factor structure and concurrent validity of the Korean version of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (K-PANAS) in a clinical sample in Korea.

Methods

K-PANAS was administered to a clinical sample in Korea. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were undertaken to examine the factorial structure and reliability of the K-PANAS.

Results

The reliability of K-PANAS is satisfactory. CFA showed that several of the models commonly used in Western populations provided an insufficient fit. The modified model provided a more adequate fit to the data.

Conclusion

The authors demonstrate that the K-PANAS has adequate psychometric properties, and that findings obtained in the West using PANAS were partially replicated.     

Cross‐cultural measurement invariance of the General Health Questionnaire‐12 in a German and a Colombian population sample

While the General Health Questionnaire, 12‐item version (GHQ‐12) has been widely used in cross‐cultural comparisons, rigorous tests of the measurement equivalence of different language versions are still lacking. Thus, our study aims at investigating configural, metric and scalar invariance across the German and the Spanish version of the GHQ‐12 in two population samples. The GHQ‐12 was applied in two large‐scale population‐based samples in Germany (N = 1,977) and Colombia (N = 1,500). To investigate measurement equivalence, confirmatory factor analyses were conducted in both samples. In the German sample mean GHQ‐12 total scores were higher than in the Colombian sample. A one‐factor model including response bias on the negatively worded items showed superior fit in the German and the Colombian sample; thus both versions of the GHQ‐12 showed configural invariance. Factor loadings and intercepts were not equal across both samples; thus GHQ‐12 showed no metric and scalar invariance. As both versions of the GHQ‐12 did not show measurement equivalence, it is not recommendable to compare both measures and to conclude that mental distress is higher in the German sample, although we do not know if the differences are attributable to measurement problems or represent a real difference in mental distress. The study underlines the importance of measurement equivalence in cross‐cultural comparisons.     

Validation of the Arabic and Hebrew versions of the Utrecht-Management of Identity Commitments Scale (U-MICS)

IntroductionThe Utrecht-Management of Identity Commitments Scale (U-MICS; Crocetti, Rubini, & Meeus, 2008) is a self-report scale that can be applied to measure three identity processes (commitment, in-depth exploration, and reconsideration of commitment) in specific domains. The current study was aimed at testing the applicability of the U-MICS in two new languages: Arabic and Hebrew. Specifically, we (a) tested the fit of the three-factor structure; (b) examined measurement invariance of the Arabic and Hebrew versions; and (c) investigated convergent validity by relating the identity processes (commitment, in-depth exploration, and reconsideration of commitment) to multiple indicators of psychosocial adjustment (self-esteem, prosocial behaviors, and delinquency).MethodsParticipants were 314 Arab and 386 Jewish adolescents living in Israel (N = 770; 54.7% girls; M_age = 13.79, SD_age = 0.51, age-range = 12–15). Assessments of identity processes, self-esteem, and delinquency were collected using self-report measures, while prosocial behaviors were measured through peer nominations.ResultsThe results highlighted that (a) the three-factor model fit the data excellently in the total sample as well as in Arab and Jewish samples; (b) hierarchical levels of measurement invariance (configural, metric, and scalar), as well as invariance of covariances, could be clearly established; and (c) convergent validity was demonstrated by showing meaningful associations between identity processes and indicators of psychosocial functioning.ConclusionsThis study indicates that the U-MICS is a reliable instrument for assessing identity processes in Arabic and Hebrew-speaking adolescents.     

Confirmatory factor analysis of the short French version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies of Depression Scale (CES-D10) in adolescents

Background

Screening depressivity among adolescents is a key public health priority. In order to measure the severity of depressive symptomatology, a four-dimensional 20 items scale called “Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale” (CES-D) was developed. A shorter 10-item version was developed and validated (Andresen et al.). For this brief version, several authors supported a two-factor structure – Negative and Positive affect – but the relationship between the two reversed-worded items of the Positive affect factor could be better accounted for by correlated errors.

Objectives

The aim of this study is triple: firstly to test a French version of the CES-D10 among adolescents; secondly to test the relevance of a one-dimensional structure by considering error correlation for Positive affect items; finally to examine the extent to which this structural model is invariant across gender.

Method

The sample was composed of 269 French middle school adolescents (139 girls and 130 boys, mean age: 13.8, SD = 0.65). Confirmatory Factorial Analyses (CFA) using the LISREL 8.52 were conducted in order to assess the adjustment to the data of three factor models: a one-factor model, a two-factor model (Positive and Negative affect) and a one-factor model with specification of correlated errors between the two reverse-worded items. Then, multigroup analysis was conducted to test the scale invariance for girls and boys.

Results

Internal consistency of the CES-D10 was satisfying for the adolescent sample (α = 0.75). The best fitting model is the one-factor model with correlated errors between the two items of the previous Positive affect factor (χ²/dl = 2.50; GFI = 0.939; CFI = 0.894; RMSEA = 0.076). This model presented a better statistical fit to the data than the one-factor model without error correlation: χ²_diff (1) = 22.14, p < 0.001. Then, the one-factor model with correlated errors was analyzed across separate samples of girls and boys. The model explains the data somewhat better for boys than for girls. The model's overall χ²(68) without equality constraints from the multigroup analysis was 107.98. The χ²(89) statistic for the model with equality-constrained factor loadings was 121.31. The change in the overall Chi² is not statistically significant. This result implies that the model is, therefore, invariant across gender. The mean scores were higher for girls than boys: 9.69 versus 7.19; t(267) = 4.13, p < 0.001.

Conclusions

To conclude, and waiting for further research using the French version of the CES-D10 for adolescents, it appears that this short scale is generally acceptable and can be a useful tool for both research and practice. The scale invariance across gender has been demonstrated but the invariance across age must be tested too.     

The effects of brain wave vibration on oxidative stress response and psychological symptoms

ObjectiveBrain Wave Vibration (BWV) training is a simple healing practice, a kind of Mind Body Training. This study was designed to investigate the psycho-endocrine differences between BMV practitioners and naïve controls.MethodsThe experimental group included 54 individuals who had participated in BWV. The control group included 58 subjects who had not participated in formal BWV. Levels of plasma NO, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured, and the modified form of the Stress Response Inventory (SRI-MF), the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were administered.ResultsThe BWV group demonstrated significantly higher plasma NO levels (p=0.003), and levels of ROS and SOD did not differ between the two groups. The BWV group showed lower scores in BDI (p=0.009), BAI (p=0.009) and stress level (p<0.001) and higher scores on positive affect (p=0.023) compared with the control group. NO levels were associated with increased positive affect (p = 0.024) only in BWV subjects.ConclusionBWV may increase NO, a relaxation-related factor, possibly by improving emotional state.     

Psychometric properties of the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised among a sample of non-clinical Iranian women

Objective. The present study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of a Persian version of the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (P-FSDS-R) among a sample of healthy Iranian women. Methods. A total of 562 healthy Iranian women completed a battery of questionnaires, including the P-FSDS-R, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), Positive and Negative Affect Scales (PANAS) and Locke-Wallace-Marital Adjustment Test (LWMAT). The factor structure and the convergent and divergent validity of the P-FSDS-R were examined, using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and Pearson product-moment correlations, respectively. To examine the discriminant validity of the P-FSDS-R, data collected from 562 healthy participants were compared with data from 108 women with sexual problems who completed the P-FSDS-R measure. Results. The results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicate that the P-FSDS-R is conceptualized within a one - factor model. The results also indicate that the P-FSDS-R has good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Significant correlations in the predicted directions between the P-FSDS-R scores and the scores of DASS, PANAS and LWMAT support both the convergent and divergent validity of the FSDS-R. The results also indicate that the scores of the P-FSDS-R tests significantly differentiated women with and without sexual problems. Conclusions. In general, these findings support the reliability and the validity of the P-FSDS-R among Iranian women.     

Age-group differences in facets of positive and negative affect

Objectives: The higher order structure of Positive Affect (PA) and Negative Affect (NA) is comparable in self-report affect data from younger and older adults. The current study advances this work by comparing the factor structure of facets of PA and NA in older and younger adults using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses.

Method: Older (N?=?203; M age?=?73.5 years, range 65–92) and younger (N?=?349; M age?=?19.1 years, range 18–30) adults completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule–Expanded Form (PANAS-X) (Watson, D., &; Clark, L.A. (1999). Manual for the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule -- Expanded Form. Iowa City, IA: The University of Iowa), which measures General PA and NA as well as three facets of PA (Joviality, Self-Assurance, and Attentiveness) and four facets of NA (Fear, Sadness, Guilt, and Hostility).

Results: Item-level exploratory factor analyses of the facet scales revealed structures that were similar in older and younger adults; however, older adult solutions were more diffuse and diverged more from the PANAS-X scale structure. The facet of Sadness exhibited the largest age-group difference, relating more to guilt and anxiety in older than younger adults.

Conclusion: Older adults may discriminate less amongst specific affect terms or may experience greater affective heterogeneity. Further, Sadness may manifest in age-specific ways. The construct variance of Sadness, and how this issue might be related to the assessment of depression in older adults, is discussed.     

CES-D four-factor structure is confirmed, but not invariant, in a large cohort of African American women

This study examined the factor structure of the Centers for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) in a sample of 40,403 African American women participating in the Black Women's Health Study (BWHS). To examine within group differences in the structural characteristics of the CES-D, women were stratified by age (< 60 vs. > or = 60 years). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a four-factor solution was a good fit for the data in both groups. The four factors extracted (depressed, somatic, positive, and interpersonal) matched findings from previous studies in other populations. Although item loadings were identical for 19 of 20 items, when equality restrictions were placed on factor loadings, the factors were not shown to be equivalent across groups. The only observed difference in item loadings was that the item "people disliked me" loaded higher on the interpersonal factor for younger women than older women. The variance/covariance matrix differed between groups. The correlations between the depressed and somatic factors were identical for the two age groups. However, correlations among the other factors were weaker among older women. We conclude that four-factor structure of the CES-D is supported for African American women, but the relationships among the factors vary with age.     

The reliability and validity of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) in mothers of children with developmental disabilities in Saudi Arabia

BackgroundSocial support is critical to the well-being for mothers of children with developmental disabilities (DD). The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) has not been assessed for reliability and validity among such mothers in the Saudi Arabian context.MethodAn Arabic version of the MSPSS was developed and administered to 606 mothers who had a child with DD (188 with autism spectrum disorder and 418 with intellectual disability), and who were purposefully recruited from three regions in Saudi Arabia.ResultsThe scale showed high internal consistency with minor changes when dropping one item from the scale each time. Convergent reliability and discriminant validity were established. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a very good fit of a three-factor model compared to a zero- and higher-order model. No significant difference was observed to report invariant groups in measurement invariance analysis.ConclusionsOur study is the first to measure perceived social support among mothers of children with DD in Saudi Arabia, as well as to validate an Arabic version of the MSPSS in this context. Our Arabic translation of the MSPSS is reliable and valid for researchers and clinicians to use when working with this population. We recommend adopting the MSPSS for measuring perceived social support by a zero-order or higher-order three-factor model.     

Assessment and characterization of phenotypic heterogeneity of anxiety disorders across five large cohorts

To achieve sample sizes necessary for effectively conducting genome‐wide association studies (GWASs), researchers often combine data from samples possessing multiple potential sources of heterogeneity. This is particularly relevant for psychiatric disorders, where symptom self‐report, differing assessment instruments, and diagnostic comorbidity complicates the phenotypes and contribute to difficulties with detecting and replicating genetic association signals. We investigated sources of heterogeneity of anxiety disorders (ADs) across five large cohorts used in a GWAS meta‐analysis project using a dimensional structural modeling approach including confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) and measurement invariance (MI) testing. CFA indicated a single‐factor model provided the best fit in each sample with the same pattern of factor loadings. MI testing indicated degrees of failure of metric and scalar invariance which depended on the inclusion of the effects of sex and age in the model. This is the first study to examine the phenotypic structure of psychiatric disorder phenotypes simultaneously across multiple, large cohorts used for GWAS. The analyses provide evidence for higher order invariance but possible break‐down at more detailed levels that can be subtly influenced by included covariates, suggesting caution when combining such data. These methods have significance for large‐scale collaborative studies that draw on multiple, potentially heterogeneous datasets. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Mediational Effect of Affect Dysregulation on the Association Between Attachment to Parents and Oppositional Defiant Disorder Symptoms in Adolescents

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a childhood disorder, commonly occurring in early school aged children with some symptoms becoming normative in adolescence (e.g., irritability, disagreeing). Affect dysregulation is a risk factor in the development of ODD. Affect regulation is nurtured within parent–child relationships, thus disruptions to attachment may derail children’s capacity to develop adaptive affect regulation, increasing the risk for ODD. Using a high-risk sample of adolescents, we investigated the association between attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance with ODD through affect dysregulation. Attachment anxiety, but not avoidance, was associated with affect dysregulation and ODD. Affect dysregulation was found to fully mediate the relationship between attachment anxiety and ODD concurrently and prospectively. Similar findings have been demonstrated among children; results show that attachment anxiety, and its effects on affect dysregulation, are associated with ODD symptoms well into adolescence.

     

The rationale, development and reliability of a new screening psychiatric instrument

Background: This paper describes the rationale, development, reliability and validity of a new screening psychiatric instrument. Method: The instrument comprises 26 items that tap the cardinal features of main psychiatric categories as defined by ICD-10 and DSM-IV. These items were adapted from various structured and semi-structured diagnostic interviews that yield ICD-10 and DSM-IV psychiatric diagnoses. After a training course, 12 trainees and the trainer rated blindly the 26 items on 45 subjects (22 with psychopathology and 23 without). Inter-rater reliability coefficient (Kappa) was estimated between trainees and the trainer on each item of the instrument. The total score on the new instrument was then correlated with the total score on the Arabic Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) and the Arabic version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) in a random sample from the general population (n=365). Logistic regression was utilised to estimate the power of the total score on the new instrument in discriminating between cases and non-cases as classified by the SRQ-20. Results: Excellent levels of agreement (Kappa > 0.80) were found for all items except for obsession (Kappa = 0.65) and for depressed mood (Kappa = 0.70). Moderate correlations were found between the total score on the new instrument and total score on SRQ-20 (r = 0.69) and the total score on the Arabic GHQ (r = 0.7). The new instrument correctly classified 89% of subjects into cases and non-cases. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that the new instrument is a highly reliable and valid screening instrument. The authors are now investigating its test-retest reliability and its procedural validity. Accepted: 6 November 1998     

Emotional regulation and psychomotor development after threatening preterm labor: a prospective study

A threatened preterm labor (TPL) represents an adverse prenatal event that may affect fetal neurodevelopment, even in absence of prematurity. Indeed, late-preterm infants, without neurological complications, also exhibit neurodevelopment impairment with psychomotor delay as well as emotional regulation disturbances, considered early manifestations of neuropsychiatric disorders. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of TPL on infant’s psychomotor development and temperament. This prospective cohort study recruited mothers who suffered from a TPL and a control group of mothers without TPL and full-term gestation (n = 61). TPL infants were classified into three groups depending on delivery time: Full-Term (n = 37), Late-Preterm (n = 66), and Very-Preterm (n = 38). Neurodevelopmental assessment was performed at 6 months using the Ages & Stages Questionnaires for psychomotor development and the Infant Behaviour Questionnaire-Revised for temperament. After controlling for potential cofounders (multiple pregnancy and in vitro fertilization), Full-Term TPL infants, relative to the control group, exhibited development delay in Communication (p = 0.044) and Personal-social domains (p = 0.005) as well as temperament disturbances with higher Negative Affect (p = 0.013), lower Positive Affect (p = 0.010), and worse Emotional Regulation (p < 0.001) compared to Control. No differences were found between Full-Term and Late-Preterm TPL infants. TPL may represent a risk factor for neurodevelopmental disturbances in the offspring, affecting both psychomotor and emotional infant competences, even when infants were born at term.

     

Performance of the CORE‐10 and YP‐CORE measures in a sample of youth engaging with a community mental health service

This article assesses the performance and psychometric properties of two versions of the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation (CORE) measures that assess psychological distress: the Young Person's CORE (YP‐CORE) for 11–16 year olds and the CORE‐10 for those 17 or older. The sample comprised 1592 young people aged 12–25 who completed the YP‐CORE and CORE‐10 during their initial engagement with an early intervention service. Total and average scores were examined for both measures. Gender and age differences were evaluated using t‐tests and analysis of variance. The factor structures were assessed with principal axis and confirmatory factor analyses. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses were then employed to evaluate measurement invariance across age and gender. Analyses were supportive of the CORE measures as reliable instruments to assess distress in 12–25 year olds. Based upon eigenvalues in combination with the comparative fit index, the Tucker–Lewis Index, and the root‐mean‐square error of approximation, both measures were unidimensional. Analysis indicated the factor structure, loadings, item thresholds, and residuals were invariant across age and gender, although partial support for strict invariance was found for gender among 12–16 year olds. Results are compared to previous studies and discussed in the context of program planning, service delivery, and evaluation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cross-cultural invariance of the Academic Expectations Stress Inventory: Adolescent samples from Canada and Singapore

We provide further evidence for the two-factor structure of the 9-item Academic Expectations Stress Inventory (AESI) using confirmatory factor analysis on a sample of 289 Canadian adolescents and 310 Singaporean adolescents. Examination of measurement invariance tests the assumption that the model underlying a set of scores is directly comparable across groups. This study also examined the cross-cultural validity of the AESI using multigroup confirmatory factor analysis across both the Canadian and Singaporean adolescent samples. The results suggested cross-cultural invariance of form, factor loadings, and factor variances and covariances of the AESI across both samples. Evidence of AESI's convergent and discriminant validity was also reported. Findings from t-tests revealed that Singaporean adolescents reported a significantly higher level of academic stress arising from self expectations, other expectations, and overall academic stress, compared to Canadian adolescents. Also, a larger cross-cultural effect was associated with academic stress arising from other expectations compared with academic stress arising from self expectations.     

Psychometric Validation of the Persian Version of the COVID-19-Related Psychological Distress Scale and Association with COVID-19 Fear,COVID-19 Anxiety,Optimism, and Lack of Resilience

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in a global health crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused psychological distress, both in infected and uninfected individuals. The present study evaluated the validity and factor structure of the COVID-19-Related Psychological Distress Scale (CORPDS) among the general public of the Persian-speaking population. The original version of the CORPDS was translated and back-translated into Persian, followed by a pilot study. A total sample (n?=?623) completed an online survey including the CORPDS, Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS), Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), and Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). The Persian CORPDS had very good internal consistency and moderate test-retest reliability after 4 weeks. Maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to test construct validity (χ²/df?=?2.39, CFI?=?0.95, SRMR?=?0.046, PCLOSE?=?0.67?>?0.05, RMSEA?=?0.047, 90% CI [0.038, 0.056]). Measurement invariance was performed across gender, including configural invariance, metric invariance, scalar invariance, and error variance invariance, and yielded further support for the two-factor structure of the CORPDS. The CORPDS correlated with the score on the K10 (r?=?0.46, p?<?0.01, 95% CI [0.43, 0.48]), CAS (r?=?0.43, p?<?0.01, 95% CI [0.37, 0.45]), FCV-19S (r?=?0.29, p?<?0.01, 95% CI [0.27, 0.32]), LOT-R (r?=?? 0.19, p?<?0.01, 95% CI [? 0.15, ? 0.24]) and BRS (r?=?? 0.56, p?<?0.01, 95% CI [? 0.50, ? 0.61]). Resilience was associated with lower psychological distress (β?=?? 0.54, SE?=?0.05, p?<?0.001). The findings provide evidence that CORPDS is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing psychological distress generated by COVID-19 among a healthy Persian-speaking population.