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Fu X, Fu R, Li S, Du X, Zhang M, Duan J, Wang H, Li G. Effects of health-related dispositions on citizens' appraisals toward the COVID-19 pandemic and protective behavior. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0305995. [PMID: 39236055 PMCID: PMC11376525 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, health risk attitude and health locus of control were included as dispositional factors in the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) to explain people's protective behavior in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. Empirical data involved two waves of data with a sample of 526 adults with full-time jobs from Beijing, China, and structural equation model results confirmed a partial successful extension of the PMT. Specifically, health risk attitude had a direct effect on citizens' protective behavior, but without an indirect effect mediated by threat appraisal toward the COVID-19 pandemic; health locus of control did not directly associate with citizens' protective behavior, but had an indirect effect on it fully via coping appraisal toward the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the PMT has been extended by adding a distal dispositional factor on the impact of coping appraisal on protective behavior. Implications for advancing the government's anti-epidemic strategy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyuan Fu
- Department of Psychology, School of Sociology and Psychology, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, China
| | - Ruoran Fu
- Faculty of Health, School of Psychology & Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Shuxian Li
- Faculty of Education, Department of Educational Psychology and Counselling, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Xiaona Du
- Department of Psychology, School of Sociology and Psychology, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, China
| | - Mei Zhang
- Department of Psychology, School of Sociology and Psychology, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaxin Duan
- Department of Psychology, School of Sociology and Psychology, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, China
| | - Hanmin Wang
- Department of Psychology, School of Sociology and Psychology, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, China
| | - Guixin Li
- Department of Psychology, School of Sociology and Psychology, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, China
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2
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Machado GM, Perkins ER, Gerodo TP, Miranda JVM, Sica C, Patrick CJ, de Francisco Carvalho L. Individual Differences in Females' Adherence to Public Health Measures and Psychopathology Symptoms During a Global Health Crisis: the Role of Triarchic Psychopathic Traits. J Behav Health Serv Res 2024; 51:421-437. [PMID: 37592048 DOI: 10.1007/s11414-023-09858-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
The two broad aims of this study were to (a) investigate how the three traits of the triarchic model-boldness, meanness, and disinhibition-relate to compliance with public health measures, as well as to internalizing and externalizing psychopathology, during a public health crisis, and (b) test for associations between psychopathology and compliance with public health measures. Participants were 947 Brazilian adult females aged 18-75 years who completed measures of the triarchic traits, internalizing and externalizing symptoms/problems, and a COVID-19 behaviors and beliefs questionnaire. Multiple regression and path analyses showed meanness to be the only triarchic trait significantly predictive of compliance with public health measures, in a negative direction, when controlling for the other traits. Results also demonstrated that compliance with public health measures was associated with levels of distress (negatively), obsessions/fear (positively), and positive mood (negatively). Overall, the results demonstrate the contributions of the triarchic traits to understanding complex phenomena, highlighting meanness as the most essential triarchic trait predictor of adherence to public health measures among females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisele Magarotto Machado
- Departament of Psychology, Universidade São Francisco, R. Waldemar César da Silveira, 105, Jardim Cura D'ars, Campinas, SP, 13045-510, Brazil
| | - Emily R Perkins
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, 1107 W. Call St, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA.
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, 425 S. University Ave., Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Thalytha Padulla Gerodo
- Departament of Psychology, Universidade São Francisco, R. Waldemar César da Silveira, 105, Jardim Cura D'ars, Campinas, SP, 13045-510, Brazil
| | - João Victor Martins Miranda
- Departament of Psychology, Universidade São Francisco, R. Waldemar César da Silveira, 105, Jardim Cura D'ars, Campinas, SP, 13045-510, Brazil
| | - Claudio Sica
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Firenze, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Christopher J Patrick
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, 1107 W. Call St, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Lucas de Francisco Carvalho
- Departament of Psychology, Universidade São Francisco, R. Waldemar César da Silveira, 105, Jardim Cura D'ars, Campinas, SP, 13045-510, Brazil
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3
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Hartmann M, Müller P. Acceptance and Adherence to COVID-19 Preventive Measures are Shaped Predominantly by Conspiracy Beliefs, Mistrust in Science and Fear - A Comparison of More than 20 Psychological Variables. Psychol Rep 2023; 126:1742-1783. [PMID: 35212558 PMCID: PMC8883133 DOI: 10.1177/00332941211073656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic sparked a great interest in psychological factors that determine or explain peoples' responses to the novel threatening situation and the preventive measures (e.g. wearing masks, social distancing). In this study, we focused on contaminated mindware (conspiracy and paranormal beliefs) and investigated its relationship with both acceptance of and adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures, along with other variables from the domains of emotion (trait anxiety, fear), traditional personality traits (Big 5, locus of control, optimism/pessimism) and motivation (self-control, dispositional regulatory focus). A total of 22 variables were measured in an online survey (N = 374) that took place during the second wave of COVID-19 (Nov. 2020 - March 2021) in Switzerland. Of all variables, the endorsement of specific COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs was most strongly associated with lower acceptance and adherence to the preventive measures, together with mistrust in science and a more right-wing political orientation. In contrast, fear of COVID-19 and prevention regulatory focus were positively associated with acceptance and adherence. Our results therefore highlight the importance of fighting (conspiratorial) misinformation and of increasing the perceived credibility of science in reducing the spread of the coronavirus. Moreover, when acceptance was used as predictor for adherence, agreeableness and dispositional prevention regulatory focus still explained unique variance in adherence, suggesting that such personality and motivational variables play an important role in adhering and regulating preventive behaviour independent from the attitude towards the preventive measures themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Hartmann
- Faculty of Psychology, UniDistance Suisse, Brig, Switzerland
- Institute of Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Petra Müller
- Faculty of Psychology, UniDistance Suisse, Brig, Switzerland
- Institute of Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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4
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Yedomonhan E, Tovissodé CF, Kakaï RG. Modeling the effects of Prophylactic behaviors on the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in West Africa. MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING : MBE 2023; 20:12955-12989. [PMID: 37501474 DOI: 10.3934/mbe.2023578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Various general and individual measures have been implemented to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2 since its emergence in China. Several phenomenological and mechanistic models have been developed to inform and guide health policy. Many of these models ignore opinions about certain control measures, although various opinions and attitudes can influence individual actions. To account for the effects of prophylactic opinions on disease dynamics and to avoid identifiability problems, we expand the SIR-Opinion model of Tyson et al. (2020) to take into account the partial detection of infected individuals in order to provide robust modeling of COVID-19 as well as degrees of adherence to prophylactic treatments, taking into account a hybrid modeling technique using Richard's model and the logistic model. Applying the approach to COVID-19 data from West Africa demonstrates that the more people with a strong prophylactic opinion, the smaller the final COVID-19 pandemic size. The influence of individuals on each other and from the media significantly influences the susceptible population and, thus, the dynamics of the disease. Thus, when considering the opinion of susceptible individuals to the disease, the view of the population at baseline influences its dynamics. The results are expected to inform public policy in the context of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Yedomonhan
- Laboratoire de Biomathématiques et d'Estimations Forestières, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Chénangnon Frédéric Tovissodé
- Laboratoire de Biomathématiques et d'Estimations Forestières, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Benin
- Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
| | - Romain Glèlè Kakaï
- Laboratoire de Biomathématiques et d'Estimations Forestières, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Benin
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5
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Mehrotra S, Roy S. Hope, Belief in Just World and Trust in Government: An Interaction Amidst Covid-19 Pandemic in India. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2023:302228231177852. [PMID: 37211995 DOI: 10.1177/00302228231177852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of COVID 19 has brought about changes in all spheres of human life. In the present times of pandemic, human life has suffered not only from physical stresses but also encountered and endured several mental stresses. In recent times people adopted several measures to bring positivity to their life. The present study explores the relationship between- Hope, Belief in Just World, Covid -19, and Trust in the Government in India, during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Data was collected online from young adults, via Google forms, using the tools- Adult Hope scale, Covid Anxiety scale, Belief in Just world scale, and Trust in Government. Results showed a significant correlation between the three variables. Hope, Belief in Just World, and Trust in government. Regression analysis found these three variables to significantly impact Covid anxiety. Further, Belief in Just World was found to mediate the relationship between Hope and Covid anxiety. During challenging times, it is important to boost mental health in the right direction. Implications have been further discussed in the article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheetal Mehrotra
- Department of Applied Psychology, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry, India
| | - Shreyasi Roy
- Department of Psychology, Christ (Deemed to Be University), Bengaluru, India
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Remondi C, Cirimele F, Pastorelli C, Gerbino M, Gregori F, Plata MG, Zuffianò A. Conspiracy beliefs, regulatory self-efficacy and compliance with COVID-19 health-related behaviors: The mediating role of moral disengagement. CURRENT RESEARCH IN ECOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 3:100069. [PMID: 36341468 PMCID: PMC9617670 DOI: 10.1016/j.cresp.2022.100069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Although recent studies on the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have highlighted the negative effects of moral disengagement on intentions to comply with COVID-19 containment measures, little is known about the mediating role of moral disengagement in the relationship between regulatory self-efficacy in complying with the containment measures, beliefs in conspiracy theories and compliance with COVID-19 health-related behaviors. Data were collected from 1164 young adults (women, N = 796; 68.4%; mean age 25.60 ± 4.40 years) who completed an online survey from 15th May to 22nd June 2021. Results of the multi-group path analyses indicated that higher beliefs in conspiracy theories were associated with lower compliance with COVID-19 health-related behaviors, whereas higher self-efficacy beliefs in complying with the containment measures were associated with higher compliance with COVID-19 health-related behaviors. Moral disengagement significantly mediated the associations between beliefs in conspiracy theories, regulatory self-efficacy, and compliance with COVID-19 health-related behaviors. Finally, the tested model was gender-invariant. Findings suggest that public health authorities and social care professionals should promote interventions aimed at improving regulatory self-efficacy, emphasizing the moral significance of respecting or ignoring the recommended COVID-19 measures (e.g., physical distance in public), and enhancing people's concern for the potential harms of their immoral actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Remondi
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Cirimele
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maria Gerbino
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Fulvio Gregori
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maryluz Gomez Plata
- Grupo de investigación Cognición y Educación, Programa de Psicología, Universidad del Magdalena, Santa Marta, Colombia
| | - Antonio Zuffianò
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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7
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Smith LE, Potts HWW, Amlȏt R, Fear NT, Michie S, Rubin GJ. Intention to adhere to test, trace, and isolate during the COVID-19 pandemic (the COVID-19 Rapid Survey of Adherence to Interventions and Responses study). Br J Health Psychol 2022; 27:1100-1118. [PMID: 34846088 PMCID: PMC9542361 DOI: 10.1111/bjhp.12576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES (1) To investigate factors associated with intention to self-isolate, request a test, and share details of close contacts when required. (2) To determine whether associations were stronger during periods when less stringent national COVID-19 restrictions were in place. DESIGN Series of cross-sectional nationally representative surveys. We selected survey waves where different national restrictions were in place in England (first lockdown, summer release, second lockdown, third lockdown). METHODS We investigated whether psychological factors and increased out-of-home activity in the last week were associated with intention to self-isolate and request a test if you were to develop COVID-19 symptoms, and intention to share details of contacts if you were to test positive. We also investigated whether the strength of associations differed by timepoint in the pandemic. RESULTS Intention to self-isolate, request a test and share details of contacts were associated with greater perceived risk of COVID-19 to people in the United Kingdom, knowing that COVID-19 transmission can be asymptomatic, and agreeing that personal behaviour has an impact on COVID-19 transmission. There were few differences in strength of associations by timepoint suggesting these effects are broadly stable over time. CONCLUSIONS Psychological factors were associated with intention to adhere to key components of the contact tracing system; there was no evidence for an association with increased out-of-home activity. Messages that increase knowledge that COVID-19 can be transmitted even if someone does not have symptoms and that an individual's actions can contribute to the spread of the virus may promote engagement with the test, trace, and isolate system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise E. Smith
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and NeuroscienceKing’s College LondonUK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emergency Preparedness and ResponseLondonUK
| | | | - Richard Amlȏt
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emergency Preparedness and ResponseLondonUK
- Behavioural Science and Insights UnitUK Health Security AgencySalisburyUK
| | - Nicola T. Fear
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and NeuroscienceKing’s College LondonUK
- Academic Department of Military Mental HealthKing’s Centre for Military Health ResearchLondonUK
| | - Susan Michie
- Centre for Behaviour ChangeUniversity College LondonUK
| | - G. James Rubin
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and NeuroscienceKing’s College LondonUK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emergency Preparedness and ResponseLondonUK
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Li S, Sun Y, Jing J, Wang E. Institutional Trust as a Protective Factor during the COVID-19 Pandemic in China. Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 12:252. [PMID: 35892352 PMCID: PMC9332378 DOI: 10.3390/bs12080252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous research has demonstrated that institutional trust protects subjective well-being during pandemics. However, the potential mediation mechanisms underlying this linkage remain unclear. This study constructs a mediating model to investigate the effect of institutional trust on subjective well-being and the mediating roles of belief in a just world and fear of COVID-19 in the Chinese context. To this end, we survey a sample of 881 participants. The results show that institutional trust, belief in a just world, fear of COVID-19, and subjective well-being (i.e., life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect) are significantly interrelated. The results also indicate a significant impact of institutional trust on life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect. Belief in a just world and fear of COVID-19, independently and in sequence, mediate the relationship between institutional trust and subjective well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangshuang Li
- Faculty of Education, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China; (Y.S.); (J.J.)
| | - Yijia Sun
- Faculty of Education, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China; (Y.S.); (J.J.)
| | - Jiaqi Jing
- Faculty of Education, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China; (Y.S.); (J.J.)
| | - Enna Wang
- School of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
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9
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Hernandez JMC, Costa Filho M, Kamiya ASM, Pasquini RO, Zeelenberg M. Internal locus of control and individuals' regret for normal vs. abnormal decisions. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2022.111562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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10
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Chen J, Cao J, Fu S, Jia X. Associations Between Relative Deprivation and Life Satisfaction During the COVID-19 Lockdown: Results of Serial Mediation Analyses. Front Psychol 2022; 13:725373. [PMID: 35800956 PMCID: PMC9254906 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.725373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
With the COVID-19 pandemic, life satisfaction among college students has become a key issue at universities and in society. The current study explores the effects of belief in a just world and resilience on the relationship between relative deprivation and life satisfaction. A total of 787 college students from universities in China completed online questionnaires. Results showed that relative deprivation was negatively correlated with life satisfaction. Belief in a just world and resilience separately mediated the relationship between relative deprivation and life satisfaction. Moreover, a serial mediating effect of belief in a just world and resilience was observed between relative deprivation and life satisfaction. These findings suggest that relative deprivation may impair individuals' beliefs in a just world. Moreover, less belief in a just world may lower resilience and consequently decrease life satisfaction. This study enriches the research field of relative deprivation theory in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and provides a new interpretation and intervention perspective for improving college students' life satisfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junbo Chen
- School of Education, Anyang Normal University, Anyang, China
| | - Jun Cao
- School of Media and Communication, Anyang Normal University, Anyang, China
| | - Shuying Fu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Constructive Laboratory for Big Data of Psychology and Cognitive Science, Yancheng, China
- *Correspondence: Shuying Fu
| | - Xuji Jia
- Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Social Science Laboratory of Students' Mental Development and Learning, Tianjin, China
- Xuji Jia
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11
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Binder AR, May K, Murphy J, Gross A, Carlsten E. Environmental Health Literacy as Knowing, Feeling, and Believing: Analyzing Linkages between Race, Ethnicity, and Socioeconomic Status and Willingness to Engage in Protective Behaviors against Health Threats. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:2701. [PMID: 35270393 PMCID: PMC8910584 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19052701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This study investigates the relationships between environmental health literacy, the characteristics of people (race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status) associated with health disparities, and people's willingness to engage in protective behaviors against environmental health threats. Environmental health literacy is a framework for capturing the continuum between the knowledge of environmental impacts on public health, and the skills and decisions needed to take health-protective actions. We pay particular attention to three dimensions of environmental health literacy: factual knowledge (knowing the facts), knowledge sufficiency (feeling ready to decide what to do), and response efficacy (believing that protective behaviors work). In June 2020, we collected survey data from North Carolina residents on two topics: the viral infection COVID-19 and industrial contaminants called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). We used their responses to test stepwise regression models with willingness to engage in protective behaviors as a dependent variable and other characteristics as independent variables, including environmental health literacy. For both topics, our results indicated that no disparities emerged according to socioeconomic factors (level of education, household income, or renting one's residence). We observed disparities in willingness according to race, comparing Black to White participants, but not when comparing White to American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander participants nor Hispanic to non-Hispanic participants. The disparities in willingness between Black and White participants persisted until we introduced the variables of environmental health literacy, when the difference between these groups was no longer significant in the final regression models. The findings suggest that focusing on environmental health literacy could bridge a gap in willingness to protect oneself based on factors such as race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status, which have been identified in the environmental health literature as resulting in health disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R. Binder
- Center for Human Health & the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (K.M.); (J.M.); (E.C.)
- Department of Communication, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Katlyn May
- Center for Human Health & the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (K.M.); (J.M.); (E.C.)
| | - John Murphy
- Center for Human Health & the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (K.M.); (J.M.); (E.C.)
| | - Anna Gross
- Center for Health and Equity Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
| | - Elise Carlsten
- Center for Human Health & the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (K.M.); (J.M.); (E.C.)
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12
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Mariss A, Reinhardt N, Schindler S. The Role of Just World Beliefs in Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic. SOCIAL JUSTICE RESEARCH 2022; 35:188-205. [PMID: 35194315 PMCID: PMC8853351 DOI: 10.1007/s11211-022-00388-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated whether people's personal belief in a just world (BJW) is linked to their willingness to physically distance themselves from others during the COVID-19 pandemic. Past research found personal BJW to be positively related to prosocial behavior, justice striving, and lower risk perceptions. If social distancing reflects a concern for others, high personal BJW should predict increased interest in social distancing. If social distancing reflects a concern for one's personal risk, high personal BJW should predict decreased interest in social distancing. Results of a pre-registered internet-based study from Germany (N = 361) indicated that the higher people's personal BJW, the more they generally practiced social distancing. This association still occurred when controlling for empathy, another significant predictor of social distancing. There were no mediation effects of empathy and risk perception. The findings extend knowledge on the correlates of social distancing in the COVID-19 pandemic which could be used to increase compliance among citizens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Mariss
- Department of Psychology, University of Kassel, Holländische Straße 36-38, 34127 Kassel, Germany
| | - Nina Reinhardt
- Department of Psychology, University of Kassel, Holländische Straße 36-38, 34127 Kassel, Germany
| | - Simon Schindler
- Department of Psychology, University of Kassel, Holländische Straße 36-38, 34127 Kassel, Germany
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