Behavioral Correlates of COVID-19 Worry: Stigma, Knowledge, and News Source

Abstract

Non-adherence to COVID-19 guidelines may be attributable to low levels of worry. This study assessed whether endorsing COVID-19-stigmatizing restrictions, COVID-19 knowledge, and preferred news source were associated with being ‘very worried’ versus ‘not at all’ or ‘somewhat’ worried about contracting COVID-19. Survey data were collected in July–August 2020 from N = 547 New York State (NYS) and N = 504 national Amazon MTurk workers. Respondents who endorsed COVID-19 stigmatizing restrictions (NYS OR 1.96; 95% CI 1.31, 2.92; national OR 1.80; 95% CI 1.06, 3.08) and consumed commercial news (NYS OR 1.89; 95% CI 1.21, 2.96; national OR 1.93; 95% CI 1.24, 3.00) were more likely to be very worried. National respondents who consumed The New York Times (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.00, 2.29) were more likely to be very worried, while those with little knowledge (OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.13, 0.43) were less likely to be very worried. NYS (OR 2.66; 95% CI 1.77, 4.00) and national (OR 3.17; 95% CI 1.95, 5.16) respondents with probable depression were also more likely to be very worried. These characteristics can help identify those requiring intervention to maximize perceived threat to COVID-19 and encourage uptake of protective behaviors while protecting psychological wellbeing.

Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccinations among a State-Wide Year-Long Surveillance Initiative in a Conservative Southern State

“…Throughout the pandemic, although resources were scarce, new tools and strategies were developed. One of these strategies was the development of guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which included promoting social distancing, handwashing, mask wearing, frequent testing and vaccination [ 5 ]. These guidelines are not always well received by the public, which posed a challenge for successfully preventing disease spread [ 5 ].…”

“…One of these strategies was the development of guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which included promoting social distancing, handwashing, mask wearing, frequent testing and vaccination [ 5 ]. These guidelines are not always well received by the public, which posed a challenge for successfully preventing disease spread [ 5 ]. Meltzer et al found that adherence to public health measures was related to worry about contracting COVID-19 [ 5 ], and in a study of Reader et al, at least 17–21% of the respondents were not likely at all to wear a mask [ 6 ].…”

“…These guidelines are not always well received by the public, which posed a challenge for successfully preventing disease spread [ 5 ]. Meltzer et al found that adherence to public health measures was related to worry about contracting COVID-19 [ 5 ], and in a study of Reader et al, at least 17–21% of the respondents were not likely at all to wear a mask [ 6 ]. This previous research indicates that for successful public health responses, we must take population behaviors and disease knowledge into consideration [ 5 , 6 ].…”

“…Meltzer et al found that adherence to public health measures was related to worry about contracting COVID-19 [ 5 ], and in a study of Reader et al, at least 17–21% of the respondents were not likely at all to wear a mask [ 6 ]. This previous research indicates that for successful public health responses, we must take population behaviors and disease knowledge into consideration [ 5 , 6 ]. Strict public health measures have not always been effective, and level of adherence is dependent on the population’s trust and knowledge, and their information sources [ 3 , 5 ].…”

“…This previous research indicates that for successful public health responses, we must take population behaviors and disease knowledge into consideration [ 5 , 6 ]. Strict public health measures have not always been effective, and level of adherence is dependent on the population’s trust and knowledge, and their information sources [ 3 , 5 ].…”