ArticlePloS one2026
Development and psychometric validation of the insect fear questionnaire for school-aged children in Iran.
Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundInsect-related fear (Entomophobia) is prevalent in children and affects their behavior and well-being, avoidance behaviors, and potentially hazardous practices such as inappropriate pesticide use. While many tools exist for measuring fear in adults, there is a lack of validated instruments for school-aged children. This study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire assessing knowledge, entomophobia, behavior, and anxiety about insects among school-aged children in East Azerbaijan, Iran.
methodsThis psychometric study involved a multi-stage stratified random sampling design in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. A researcher-made questionnaire, developed through expert consultation and literature review, was used. A total of 1,370 children participated. Content validity was quantified via CVR and CVI. Construct validity was assessed with exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA); EFA and reliability analyses (Cronbach's alpha, item-total statistics) were performed in IBM SPSS Statistics 25, and CFA was conducted in AMOS 22. Temporal stability was evaluated by test-retest Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) over a two-week interval (n = 103).
resultThe finalized instrument comprises 32 items loading on four factors: knowledge, entomophobia, behavior, and personal fear/anxiety. EFA and CFA supported the four-factor model with excellent fit (CFI = 0.96, TLI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.047, SRMR = 0.041). Internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach's α = 0.82), and test-retest reliability indicated good temporal stability (ICC = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.76-0.86). No meaningful floor or ceiling effects were observed.
conclusionThe questionnaire demonstrates sound psychometric properties and is suitable for use in school settings to identify children with elevated insect-related fear or unsafe pesticide practices. Future work should examine criterion validity, measurement invariance across subgroups, and applicability in other cultural contexts.
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