Pandemic prevention and personality psychology: Gender differences in preventive health behaviors during COVID-19 and the roles of agreeableness and conscientiousness

Factors affecting risk perception of COVID-19: differences by age and gender

Introduction

Addressing emerging infectious diseases is a major task in public health. This study investigated the factors influencing the perception of risk related to COVID-19.

Methods

This study analyzed data from the 2020 Social Survey conducted nationwide in South Korea, targeting 34,909 individuals aged 13 years and older. Using an ordered logit regression model, we examined the relationship between COVID-19 risk perception and its predictors across age groups (20-44 years, 45-64 years, 65 years and older) and gender groups. The predictors included in the analysis model were demographic factors, socioeconomic factors, health and quality of life factors, levels of social trust, and climate change factors.

Results

The results demonstrated that COVID-19 risk perception was higher among older individuals and women compared with men. In the young population group (20-44 years), mental stress was related to COVID-19 risk perception, but this was not observed in other population groups. In the older adult population group (65 years and older), education level was related to COVID-19 risk perception, whereas this was not observed in the young population group. In the male group, economic variables such as income and employment status were related to COVID-19 risk perception, whereas in women, family-related variables such as marital status and housing type were related. In most subgroup analyses, lower income levels or lower life satisfaction were associated with higher COVID-19 risk perception.

Discussion

The findings of this study suggest that health authorities need to tailor their responses to COVID-19 risk perception based on different populations and social groups. For the older adult population with a high-risk perception, it is necessary to provide reliable information to reduce anxiety caused by excessive risk perception. For the young population, proactive responses from health authorities regarding mental health are needed.

Determinants of COVID-19 vaccination coverage in European and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries

Introduction

In relatively wealthy countries, substantial between-country variability in COVID-19 vaccination coverage occurred. We aimed to identify influential national-level determinants of COVID-19 vaccine uptake at different COVID-19 pandemic stages in such countries.

Methods

We considered over 50 macro-level demographic, healthcare resource, disease burden, political, socio-economic, labor, cultural, life-style indicators as explanatory factors and coverage with at least one dose by June 2021, completed initial vaccination protocols by December 2021, and booster doses by June 2022 as outcomes. Overall, we included 61 European or Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. We performed 100 multiple imputations correcting for missing data and partial least squares regression for each imputed dataset. Regression estimates for the original covariates were pooled over the 100 results obtained for each outcome. Specific analyses focusing only on European Union (EU) or OECD countries were also conducted.

Results

Higher stringency of countermeasures, and proportionately more older adults, female and urban area residents, were each strongly and consistently associated with higher vaccination rates. Surprisingly, socio-economic indicators such as gross domestic product (GDP), democracy, and education had limited explanatory power. Overall and in the OECD, greater perceived corruption related strongly to lower vaccine uptake. In the OECD, social media played a noticeable positive role. In the EU, right-wing government ideology exhibited a consistently negative association, while cultural differences had strong overall influence.

Conclusion

Relationships between country-level factors and COVID-19 vaccination uptake depended on immunization stage and country reference group. Important determinants include stringency, population age, gender and urbanization, corruption, government ideology and cultural context.

"I Refuse to Wear a Mask!" Examining the Relationship Between Grit and Preventative Behaviors and Well-Being: Mediating Role of Motivation

Despite government mandates to wear face masks in some public locations, why do some people still refuse to wear a face mask in public? This paper examines the relationship between grit, COVID-19 preventative health measure, and distress. Further, the mediating role of COVID-19 autonomous and controlled motivation is also investigated. The results suggest that grit is directly related to decreased distress and increased preventative behaviors. COVID-19 autonomous and controlled motivated mediated the relationship between grit, distress and preventive behaviors, such that COVID-19 autonomous motivation mediated the association between grit and preventive behaviors; while COVID-19 controlled motivation mediated the relationship between grit and psychological distress. These findings suggest that grit can be an important growth mindset in increasing preventative behaviors and individual well-being during the pandemic. Implications for human resource managers in attempting to help employees cope effectively during the pandemic are discussed.

Subgroup Behaviors and Factors Influencing Compliance With COVID-19 Preventive Measures Among Undergraduate Students in Southern Thailand

Objective

To investigate clusters of students' COVID-19 preventive behaviors and their associated factors.

Methods

We surveyed undergraduate students using an online questionnaire at a regional university in southern Thailand, between April and June 2022. Statistical analyses included latent class analysis and multinomial regression analysis.

Results

Three latent classes were identified: moderately consistent practitioner (7.5%), high compliance overall (48.9%), and good compliance with routine safeguards (43.6%). Females tended to have high compliance overall (RRR 2.46 95% CI 1.23-4.94), and higher academic performance was associated with high compliance overall and good routine safeguards. Perceived threats from COVID-19 were associated with good compliance with routine safeguards (RRR 4.21 95% CI 1.70-10.45). Benefits of actions and clear cues to action were associated with high overall compliance (RRR 5.24 95% CI 2.13-12.90). Students who perceived feasibility were more likely to be moderately consistent practitioners.

Conclusion

The common clusters of the students' preventive behaviors were high compliance overall and good compliance with routine preventions. Female, academic performance, perceived threats, and perceived benefits and cues to action were associated with compliance.

Risk factors contributing to infection with SARS-CoV-2 are modulated by sex

Throughout the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico (August-December 2020), we closely followed a cohort of n = 100 healthcare workers. These workers were initially seronegative for Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and maintained close contact with patients afflicted by the disease. We explored the database of demographic, physiological and laboratory parameters of the cohort recorded at baseline to identify potential risk factors for infection with SARS-CoV-2 at a follow-up evaluation six months later. Given that susceptibility to infection may be a systemic rather than a local property, we hypothesized that a multivariate statistical analysis, such as MANOVA, may be an appropriate statistical approach. Our results indicate that susceptibility to infection with SARS-CoV-2 is modulated by sex. For men, different physiological states appear to exist that predispose to or protect against infection, whereas for women, we did not find evidence for divergent physiological states. Intriguingly, male participants who remained uninfected throughout the six-month observation period, had values for mean arterial pressure and waist-to-hip ratio that exceeded the normative reference range. We hypothesize that certain risk factors that worsen the outcome of COVID-19 disease, such as being overweight or having high blood pressure, may instead offer some protection against infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Prosociality predicts changes in leisure activities during the COVID-19 pandemic

Several studies suggest that leisure activities enhance well-being. In line with this perspective, a recent study indicates that augmenting indoor leisure activities to compensate for diminished outdoor pursuits could sustain or enhance well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study was designed to identify personality traits that predict such behavioral shifts in indoor versus outdoor leisure activities during the pandemic. The present study included 657 participants (Mage = 41.08) and measured 12 personality traits that a previous study reported were associated with health-protective behaviors during COVID-19. Our findings indicate that the rise in indoor leisure activities correlated with prosocial tendencies toward family and friends/acquaintances (but not strangers), self-centered interest, resilience, and Big Five personality traits. Conversely, the decline in outdoor activities was linked solely to prosociality toward family and friends/acquaintances. Further interaction analysis uncovered that prosocial tendencies toward close relations predicted increased indoor activities as an alternative to outdoor engagements. We concluded that prosociality promoted behavioral changes that significantly prevented infections in intimate others, and it could maintain personal well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic by facilitating behavior change.

A Scoping Review on Gender/Sex Differences in COVID-19 Vaccine Intentions and Uptake in the United States

OBJECTIVE

To explore the empirical literature on gender/sex differences in vaccine acceptance among U.S.-based adults and adolescents in approximately the first 2 years of the pandemic.

DATA SOURCE

Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, EBSCO, CINAHL, Web of Science.

STUDY INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Peer-reviewed studies conducted in the U.S. with those aged 12 and older, published in English before January 12, 2022, examining the relationship between gender/sex on COVID-19 vaccine intentions and/or uptake.

DATA EXTRACTION

Three authors screened studies and extracted data.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Univariate and multivariate results are summarized.

RESULTS

A total of 53 studies met inclusion criteria (48 intentions, 7 uptake), using mostly cross-sectional designs (92.5%) and non-random sampling (83.0%). The majority of studies supported men's greater intentions to vaccinate compared to women, and men's greater vaccine uptake in univariate analyses, but most multivariate analyses supported no gender differences in uptake. Few studies examined gender beyond binary categories (women/men), highlighting a gap in the studies inclusive of transgender or gender-diverse populations in analyses.

CONCLUSION

Women may have been more hesitant to get the vaccine than men early in the pandemic, but these differences may not translate to actual behavior. Future research should include non-binary/transgender populations, explore the gender-specific reasons for hesitancy and differences by sub-populations, utilize more rigorous designs, and test gender-sensitive public health campaigns to mitigate vaccine concerns.

Exploring Wellness Through Concept Analysis

Modern wellness is a concept that has been discussed in the literature since the 1960's. To better understand wellness complexities in a school setting, a concept analysis was conducted using a modified version of Walker and Avant's method incorporating the nursing paradigm in the implications. A literature review was conducted and except for background information, the publication dates were limited to 2017-2022. Key search terms included "wellness," "school wellness," "wellness concept." Additional literature reviews were conducted based on data related to the definitions, attributes, antecedents, and consequences of wellness that were collected from the reviewed studies. Defining attributes of wellness included healthy habits, conscientiousness, and optimum state of health. The antecedents, consequences, and empirical referents of wellness were identified with examples from the literature and case exemplars. Wellness is a dynamic process that has unique implications for school health and school nurses. This concept analysis lays the foundation for future research incorporating nursing domains.

Willingness to reduce alcohol consumption predicted by short-form video exposure, media involvement, psychological bias, and cognitive factor

Introduction

Through previous studies, Chinese college students are known to be prone to alcohol consumption, which can lead to health-risk behaviors such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems. However, little is known about how popular social media platforms (e.g., short-form video applications) can positively impact their willingness to reduce alcohol consumption. This study was guided by the theory of optimistic bias; we investigated the direct, mediated, and moderating effects of exposure to anti-alcohol consumption short-form videos and short-form video involvement on Chinese college students' willingness to reduce their alcohol consumption.

Methods

The current study has an empirical cross-sectional design and employed an online survey from September 1st, 2022, to November 1st, 2022. The survey specifically targeted Chinese college students, who are the most common users of short-form video applications. The accumulated data underwent rigorous examination, including hierarchical regression, mediation, and moderation analyses, all conducted using the PROCESS macro 4.0 within SPSS version 22.

Results

A total of 434 participants, aged 18-24 years, were included in this study. There were mediating effects regarding Chinese college students' exposure to anti-alcohol consumption short-form videos (β = 0.35, p < 0.01, 95% CI [0.17, 0.63]) and short-form video involvement (β = 0.44, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.20, 0.65]) on their willingness to reduce alcohol consumption via reversed optimistic bias. Moreover, perceived prevention of heavy drinking control (β = 0.05, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.01, 0.09]) played mediating roles in the relationship between exposure to anti-alcohol consumption short-form videos and willingness to reduce alcohol consumption.

Conclusion

This study is one of the earliest studies to examine the intricate effects of exposure to anti-alcohol consumption short-form videos and short-form video involvement on the willingness to reduce alcohol consumption among Chinese college students. In addition, this study confirms that regardless of whether Chinese college students are conscientious, exposure to anti-alcohol consumption short-form videos did not increase their level of reversed optimistic bias. The empirical findings of this study are critical and can provide practical insights for Chinese health departments that encourage Chinese college students to minimize alcohol consumption.

The impact of COVID-19 on the lives of Canadians with and without non-communicable chronic diseases: results from the iCARE Study

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic and its prevention policies have taken a toll on Canadians, and certain subgroups may have been disproportionately affected, including those with non-communicable diseases (NCDs; e.g., heart and lung disease) due to their risk of COVID-19 complications and women due to excess domestic workload associated with traditional caregiver roles during the pandemic.

AIMS/OBJECTIVES

We investigated the impacts of COVID-19 on mental health, lifestyle habits, and access to healthcare among Canadians with NCDs compared to those without, and the extent to which women with NCDs were disproportionately affected.

METHODS

As part of the iCARE study ( www.icarestudy.com ), data from eight cross-sectional Canadian representative samples (total n = 24,028) was collected via online surveys between June 4, 2020 to February 2, 2022 and analyzed using general linear models.

RESULTS

A total of 45.6% (n = 10,570) of survey respondents indicated having at least one physician-diagnosed NCD, the most common of which were hypertension (24.3%), chronic lung disease (13.3%) and diabetes (12.0%). In fully adjusted models, those with NCDs were 1.18-1.24 times more likely to report feeling lonely, irritable/frustrated, and angry 'to a great extent' compared to those without (p's < 0.001). Similarly, those with NCDs were 1.22-1.24 times more likely to report worse eating and drinking habits and cancelling medical appointments/avoiding the emergency department compared to those without (p's < 0.001). Moreover, although there were no sex differences in access to medical care, women with NCDs were more likely to report feeling anxious and depressed, and report drinking less alcohol, compared to men with NCDs (p's < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that people with NCDs in general and women in general have been disproportionately more impacted by the pandemic, and that women with NCDs have suffered greater psychological distress (i.e., feeling anxious, depressed) compared to men, and men with NCDs reported having increased their alcohol consumption more since the start of COVID-19 compared to women. Findings point to potential intervention targets among people with NCDs (e.g., prioritizing access to medical care during a pandemic, increasing social support for this population and mental health support).

Anxiety symptoms before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal examination of Canadian young adults

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many changes that may impact anxiety symptoms (i.e., general anxiety and somatization), particularly for young adults who were at higher risk for anxiety than older adults. We examined anxiety symptoms before (age 19, 20, 21, and 22) and during the pandemic (age 23 and 24) in a cohort of Canadian young adults (n = 396). Latent growth curve models were performed for general anxiety and somatization and the pandemic time points were estimated as structured residuals to quantify the change from participants' expected trajectories. We also examined whether fear of COVID-19 predicted the changes in anxiety symptoms during the pandemic. Results indicated that a history of general anxiety and somatization positively predicted fear of COVID-19 during the pandemic and negatively predicted pandemic change from predicted values for both general anxiety and somatization. Increased COVID-19 fear was related within time to increases in general anxiety at ages 23 and 24 and increases in somatization at age 24. We also found that the proportion of individuals in the subclinical/clinical range of somatization was higher from age 23-24, but not from age 22-23 and there were no differences for general anxiety. Results highlight the need to consider within-person change and development in evaluating anxiety symptom changes and predictors of changes in anxiety symptoms.

A SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in a plastics manufacturing plant

BACKGROUND

A SARS-CoV-2 outbreak with an attack rate of 14.3% was reported at a plastics manufacturing plant in England.

METHODS

Between 23^rd March and 13^th May 2021, the COVID-OUT team undertook a comprehensive outbreak investigation, including environmental assessment, surface sampling, molecular and serological testing, and detailed questionnaires, to identify potential SARS-CoV-2 transmission routes, and workplace- and worker-related risk factors.

RESULTS

While ventilation, indicated using real-time CO₂ proxy measures, was generally adequate on-site, the technical office with the highest localized attack rate (21.4%) frequently reached peaks in CO₂ of 2100ppm. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was found in low levels (Ct ≥35) in surface samples collected across the site. High noise levels (79dB) were recorded in the main production area, and study participants reported having close work contacts (73.1%) and sharing tools (75.5%). Only 20.0% of participants reported using a surgical mask and/or FFP2/FFP3 respirator at least half the time and 71.0% expressed concerns regarding potential pay decreases and/or unemployment due to self-isolation or workplace closure.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings reinforce the importance of enhanced infection control measures in manufacturing sectors, including improved ventilation with possible consideration of CO₂ monitoring, utilising air cleaning interventions in enclosed environments, and provision of good-quality face masks (i.e., surgical masks or FFP2/FFP3 respirators) especially when social distancing cannot be maintained. Further research on the impacts of job security-related concerns is warranted.

Predicting Compliance with Sanitary Behaviors among Students in Higher Education During the Second COVID-19 Wave: The Role of Health Anxiety and Risk Perception

To limit the spread of COVID-19, public authorities have recommended sanitary behaviors such as handwashing, mask-wearing, physical distancing, and social distancing. We recruited a large sample of higher education students in Belgium (N = 3201-3441) to investigate the role of sociodemographic variables, mental health, previous COVID-19 infections, academic involvement, and risk perception on adherence to these sanitary behaviors. This cross-sectional study took place during the second COVID-19 wave in Belgium, between February and March 2021. Analyses showed that living alone, being female, later in the academic curriculum, having higher general and health anxiety, higher academic involvement, and higher risk perception were positively associated with adherence to the four aforementioned sanitary behaviors. Conversely, previous infection with COVID-19 and having been quarantined were negative predictors. Our results show a set of predictors highly similar for the four sanitary behaviors. We discuss potential initiatives to increase adherence to sanitary behaviors in this group of highly educated youngsters.

Siblings, shopping, and sustainability: Birth-order differences in green consumption

Several studies have examined the role of birth order in shaping human personality, but fewer have tested this variable in relation to other pressing issues. We conducted a birth-order study on green consumption, which enabled us to detect a small-to-moderate effect size equivalent to r = 0.15 or d = 0.30 with sufficient statistical power (N = 335). To capture green consumption, participants indicated their tendency to express the value of environmental protection through purchases and consumption behaviors. Firstborns (vs. laterborns) consistently expressed lower concerns linked to environmental protection in their purchase patterns. While the effect size of this finding was small-to-moderate by conventional standards and in direct contrast to the findings from a recent article on the same topic, these results could still be informative to address challenges associated with climate change considering the number of individuals with siblings in the world and the ease with which birth-order data can be collected.

Personality and city culture predict attitudes and practices toward mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases in South Texas

Personality is known to affect compliance with health-protective behaviors and it has been shown that effective public health messaging can be informed by an understanding of that relationship. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the role personality might play in implementing personal protective measures (PPMs) that can prevent mosquito-borne diseases. This is the first mosquito-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) study to incorporate a measure of personality using the Big Five: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. KAP studies in Gulf-coast and Mexican border-states in the U.S. are few. Ours is only the second KAP study to take place in Texas despite known local transmission and established mosquito populations capable of transmitting dengue, zika, chikungunya, and West Nile viruses. The KAP survey was administered in three neighborhoods in San Antonio, a large, Hispanic-majority, urban city that is segregated economically and ecologically. We found that openness, agreeableness, and extraversion predicted certain attitudes and PPMs, and that KAP and personality measures did not differ along ethnic or neighborhood lines. Perceptions toward the city's role in mosquito control and education was an important factor in predicting PPMs, suggesting that city culture (attitudes common throughout the city as opposed to attitudes differing by ethnicity and neighborhood) may be most salient in developing public health messaging in San Antonio.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices [KAP] toward COVID-19: A cross-sectional study in the New York Metropolitan Area and California Bay Area

OBJECTIVE

The 2019 novel coronavirus [COVID-19] pandemic has necessitated the implementation of public health initiatives [PHI] to slow viral spread. We evaluated the effectiveness of PHI through a survey of COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes and practices [KAP].

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted primarily during stay-at-home orders in New York and San Francisco. A volunteer sample of 675 U.S. participants completed a KAP questionnaire after electronic distribution.

RESULTS

Participants had good knowledge and practices, but poor attitudes. Predictors of higher knowledge scores included white ethnicity, non-essential worker status, and healthcare worker status. Correlates with positive attitude included male gender, residence in California, higher annual income, and not utilizing radio or social media. Higher practice scores were predicted by female gender, non-essential and healthcare worker status, and information source.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in KAP were found among demographic variables. Determining what factors and sources of information drive reception of public health information can guide targeted intervention and advance equitable health education.