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Brown R, Coventry L, Pepper G. COVID-19: the relationship between perceptions of risk and behaviours during lockdown. Z Gesundh Wiss. 2021;1-11doi: 10.1007/s10389-021-01543-9.
Brown, R., Coventry, L., & Pepper, G. (2021). COVID-19: the relationship between perceptions of risk and behaviours during lockdown. Zeitschrift fur Gesundheitswissenschaften = Journal of public health, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-021-01543-9
Brown, Richard, et al. "COVID-19: the relationship between perceptions of risk and behaviours during lockdown." Zeitschrift fur Gesundheitswissenschaften = Journal of public health vol. (2021): 1-11. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-021-01543-9
Brown R, Coventry L, Pepper G. COVID-19: the relationship between perceptions of risk and behaviours during lockdown. Z Gesundh Wiss. 2021 May 13;1-11. doi: 10.1007/s10389-021-01543-9. Epub 2021 May 13. PMID: 34007783; PMCID: PMC8118375.
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Z Gesundh Wiss. 2021 May 13;1-11. doi: 10.1007/s10389-021-01543-9. Epub 2021 May 13.

COVID-19: the relationship between perceptions of risk and behaviours during lockdown.

Zeitschrift fur Gesundheitswissenschaften = Journal of public health

Richard Brown, Lynne Coventry, Gillian Pepper

Affiliations

  1. Psychology Department, Northumbria University, Northumberland Building, College Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 8ST UK.

PMID: 34007783 PMCID: PMC8118375 DOI: 10.1007/s10389-021-01543-9

Abstract

AIM: Understanding COVID-19 risk perceptions and their impact on behaviour can improve the effectiveness of public health strategies. Prior evidence suggests that, when people perceive uncontrollable risks to their health, they are less likely to engage in healthful behaviour. This article aims to understand the extent to which COVID-19 is perceived as an uncontrollable risk, and to assess whether this perceived risk is associated with health behaviour.

SUBJECT AND METHODS: We surveyed a nationally representative sample of 496 participants during the first UK lockdown. We assessed perceptions of COVID-19-related risk, self-reported adherence to infection control measures recommended by the UK Government, and general health behaviours. We predicted that increased perceived extrinsic mortality risk (the portion of mortality risk perceived to be uncontrollable) would disincentivise healthy behaviour.

RESULTS: Perceived threat to life was the most consistent predictor of reported adherence to infection control measures. Perceived extrinsic mortality risk was found to have increased due to the pandemic, and was associated with lower reported adherence to Government advice on diet, physical activity, and smoking.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that health messages that highlight threat to life may be effective in increasing adherence to infection control, but may also lead to a reduction in health-promoting behaviours. We suggest that messages that highlight threat to life should be accompanied by statements of efficacy. Further, messages evoking feelings of concern for others may be effective in promoting compliance with anti-infection measures, without the potential for the unwelcome side-effect of discouraging healthy behaviour.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10389-021-01543-9.

© The Author(s) 2021.

Keywords: COVID-19; Compliance; Health behaviours; Mortality risk; Risk perceptions

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestThe authors jointly declare that there are no conflicts of interest or competing interests with respect to this submission.

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