AUTHOR=Sergi Maria Rita , Picconi Laura , Saggino Aristide , Fermani Alessandra , Bongelli Ramona , Tommasi Marco 

TITLE=Psychometric properties of a new instrument for the measurement of the perceived quality of distance learning during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=Volume 14 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1169957

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1169957

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=Introduction
The lockdown restrictions due to COVID-19 Pandemic forced many students to use distance learning. Few studies examined the psychological effects of distance learning during the pandemic in university or in non-university students using a specific psychometric tool. The principal aim of this study was the construction and validation of a new psychometric tool, the Perceived Quality of Distance Learning (PQDL), to measure students’ appreciation and reaction to distance learning.  The connection between anxiety, depression, perceived self-efficacy and students’ perception of distance learning was analyzed to assess the nomological validity of the new scale.

Method
The sample consists of 429 students attending university or training courses. The factor structure of the new instrument was analyzed through Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses and its nomological validity was analyzed through regression analysis. 

Conclusions
Results showed that PQDL is articulated into two subscales: Distance Learning Organization and Cognitive-Emotive Reaction to Distance Learning. Higher student’s ability to organize and plan distance learning and higher student’s positive cognitive-emotive reaction to distance learning, higher student’s perceived quality of distance learning. Anxiety and depression were negatively correlated with students’ perceived quality of distance learning and perceived emotional self-efficacy of negative emotions and perceived scholastic self-efficacy were positively correlated with students’ perceived quality of distance learning. These data indicate that PQDL is a reliable questionnaire to assess student’s perceived quality of distance learning.