Moral disengagement, locus of control, and belief in a just world: Individual differences relate to adherence to COVID-19 guidelines

Abstract

We examined relationships between moral disengagement, locus of control, and just world beliefs and adherence to COVID-19 containment measures. We predicted that these individual differences would be more influential for adherence than beliefs about the pandemic (e.g., its origins and one's perceived susceptibility to infection). COVID-19-related measures of these three individual differences were each significantly associated with adherence even after controlling for demographics and pandemic beliefs although beliefs about the severity of the virus and the benefits of containment measures also significantly related to adherence. Beliefs were associated with the individual difference measures and political orientation. Moral disengagement, the strongest individual difference predictor, was associated with lower support for each pandemic containment precaution (e.g., mask wearing). These results can be used to frame messages to increase adherence to public health measures.

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

“…Furthermore, the present results do not support the initial hypothesis that high internal locus of control and optimism increases the engagement in preventive behaviour ( Amit Aharon et al, 2018 ; Devereux et al, 2021 ; Jovančević & Milićević, 2020 ; Kelly et al, 1990 ; Olagoke et al, 2021 ; Steptoe & Wardle, 2001 ; Weiss & Larsen, 1990 ). A possible explanation for this would be that people with high locus of control may think that they can control whether they get infected or not (or how badly they would be affected by the disease).…”

“…Another potentially influential variable is locus of control (internal vs. external; Rotter, 1966 ). People with a high internal locus of control tend to believe that they can control their own destinies and are therefore more active in trying to take control of events, which might increase the engagement in preventive behaviours ( Amit Aharon et al, 2018 ; Devereux et al, 2021 ; Kelly et al, 1990 ; Olagoke et al, 2021 ; Steptoe & Wardle, 2001 ; Weiss & Larsen, 1990 ). The opposite might be true for people with a high external locus of control, who believe that their destinies are influenced by fate, powerful others or God (although this might not be true for specific health-related external locus of control in regard to medical professionals; cf.…”

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

“…The present results do not support the initial hypothesis that high internal locus of control and optimism increases the engagement in preventive behaviour (Amit Aharon et al, 2018;Devereux et al, 2021;Jovančević & Milićević, 2020;Kelly et al, 1990;Olagoke et al, 2021;Steptoe & Wardle, 2001;Weiss & Larsen, 1990). In the present study, there was even a tendency found for a reduced acceptance of the preventive measures for high internal locus of control and optimism.…”

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

“…Although these marginalized groups may have recognized COVID-19 as a threat, systemic factors beyond their control may have precluded some from properly engaging in preventative behaviors and may have led to this race-based death discrepancy [ 28 ]. COVID-19 disease prevention relies on collective actions—such as social distancing, mask wearing, and vaccinations—that might not be individually desirable but are beneficial overall for public health [ 29 ]. The morbidity, mortality, economic, and societal impacts of COVID-19 may not affect all Americans equally, but they are equally capable of taking actions to reduce the spread of the disease for everyone.…”