Validation of the Italian Version of the Telepresence in Videoconference Scale (TVS) in a Sample of Psychologists and Psychotherapists During the COVID‐19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT Objective Telepresence may play a fundamental role in establishing authentic interactions and relationships in online psychological interventions and can be measured by the Telepresence in Videoconference Scale (TVS), which was validated only with patients to date. This post hoc study aimed to validate the Italian version of the TVS with mental health professionals. Method The Italian TVS was included in an online survey, whose primary aim was to assess the experiences of Italian psychologists and psychotherapists with online interventions during the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic and was filled in by 296 participants (83.4% females, mean age = 42 years old). Results Exploratory factor analysis supported the original factor structure only partially because the scale ‘Absorption’ (i.e., the feeling of losing track of time), as it was formulated, did not measure telepresence. Correlations were also explored between the TVS scales and some survey items pertaining to intimacy and emotional closeness to patients, comfort and positive as well as negative experiences with online interventions. Conclusion The TVS may be a useful tool to measure physical and social telepresence in online interventions, both in patients and in professionals.