Table 2 Final items and factor loadings from EFA and CFAs in our three samples

 I will infect myself with COVID-19

 Please indicate how likely you think it is that you will be infected with COVID-19.

 people close to me are infected with COVID-19.

 I will infect other people with COVID-19.

 keeping at least 1.5 m distance from other people

 coughing or sneezing into the crook of your arm or into a handkerchief

 not touching mouth, eyes or nose with hands

regular washing of hands

 washing hands extensively (for at least 30 s)

 increased disinfection of hands and objects.

 cancelling private meetings and family visits

 cancelling trips to other cities

 avoiding visits to canteens and restaurants

 avoiding touching (e.g. shaking hands or hugging) when greeting or saying goodbye to other people

 moving your work to home office

 soap, detergent, cleaning products, washing powder, etc.

 food (vegetables, lentils, rice, pasta...)

 water (20 l per person)

 toilet paper

 cash

 temporary closures of kindergartens, schools and universities

 temporary border closures

 temporary closures of playgrounds

 temporary closure of bars, pubs, theatres, cinemas, etc.

 temporary curfews

 donating blood

 supporting people at risk, such as shopping for them or staying at home to protect people at risk to protect people at risk

 supporting people who are experiencing existential hardship due to the current situation

 offering help to close friends and family members

 donating blood

 have had upsetting dreams that replay part of the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic or are clearly related to it

 have had powerful images or memories that sometimes come into my mind in which I feel the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic is happening again in the here and now

 have avoided internal reminders of the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g. thoughts, feeling, or physical sensations)

 have avoided external reminders of the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g. people, places, conversations, objects, activities, or situations)

 have been “super-alert”, watchful, or on guard

 difficulty falling asleep (<  30 min)

 difficulty sleeping through the night

 early morning awakening

 have consumed substantially more alcohol than usual.

 have smoked considerably more cigarettes than usual

 have consumed considerably more drugs (e.g. tranquilizers, sleeping pills or stimulants) than usual

 have felt a strong desire to consume addictive substances (alcohol, cigarettes, drugs)

 have not been able to control my use of addictive substances (alcohol, cigarettes, drugs)

 have maintained a regular daily routine

 have planned the day as detailed as possible

 have integrated sports and exercise into my daily life

 have maintained my social contacts (telephone, visits or video chats)

 have enjoyed the time together with people close to me

 have sought stability in faith and/or religion

 have focused on my inner strengths, resources, abilities and talents

 have changed my attitudes about what is really important to me in life

 have had the feeling that the political leadership was standing up for me

 have perceived democracy as an effective form of government

 have had the feeling that public institutions (e.g. police, judiciary) can be relied upon

 have had the feeling that news and reports on the COVID-19 pandemic are being deliberately withheld

 have perceived politicians as trustworthy

 have had the feeling that false reports or untruths about the COVID-19 pandemic are being deliberately disseminated on public broadcasting (e.g. radio and television stations).

 have had the belief that there are alternative or secret explanations for current events

 have had the belief that there is a relation between what is happening and the production and testing of biological weapons

 have had the belief that what is happening here is the effect of a struggle or competition between different superpowers

 have had the belief that this infection serves to deliberately reduce the world population, since there are no longer enough resources for everyone

 there is greater solidarity and cohesion in our society.

 I am an integral part of our society or community.

 our nation is growing closer together.