Risky but alluring: Severe COVID-19 pandemic influence increases risk taking.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives to a profound extent. In this research, we examined how the pandemic might have influenced people's general risk attitude in their daily lives. Across four studies (two preregistered) using U.S. online worker and Canadian university student samples, we observed that individuals who were severely affected by the pandemic showed higher risk taking toward a variety of risky activities than those who were less severely affected. We attributed this effect to elevated boredom levels and increased perceived benefits from taking risks among the severely affected group and provided supporting evidence. Data ruled out risk perception, income, employment status, and response biases as alternative explanations. Our findings shed light on the psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, decision under risk, the role of perceived benefits of risk taking, and effective policy interventions. Public Significance StatementThis study shows that people who have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are more likely to engage in risky activities relative to those less severely affected. This is because pandemic-related restrictions imposed on people are linked with elevated boredom levels and greater perceived benefits of risk taking within the severely affected group. Because the aforementioned factors differ from risk perception, a typical driver of risk taking behavior, policies aimed at curbing risky behaviors arising from the pandemic should target these factors specifically.

Predictors of Recurrent Laboratory-Confirmed Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infections in a Cohort of Healthcare Workers

“…Interestingly, the individuals who recovered from the severe disease at primary infection showed a higher reinfection risk when compared with those who present mild symptoms (RR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.01–1.10). Similar findings have been published and may be related to increased perceived benefits from taking risks [ 26 ]. However, only 18 out of 1700 (1.1%) of the enrolled subjects had a severe first infection, so this finding must be considered with caution.…”

Vaccination and Younger Age Are Associated with Recurrent Laboratory-Confirmed Symptomatic SARS-Cov-2 Infections

“…Interestingly, individuals who recovered from severe disease at primary infection showed a higher reinfection risk when compared whit those who present mild symptoms (RR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.01 -1.10). Similar findings had been published and may be related to increased perceived benefits from taking risks [10].…”

Life is either a daring adventure, or it is boring: The impact of COVID‐19 on immoral and nonmoral risk taking behaviors

“…Researchers have also shown that the link between the pandemic and risky activities is not limited to the economic domain. For example, a series of correlational studies conducted by Tsai and Zeng (2021) found that participants who had been more severely affected by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak were more inclined to adopt a risk-seeking attitude toward a wide variety of risky behaviors than those who had been less severely affected. In addition, the researchers provide a theoretical explanation by attributing the relationship uncovered to increased boredom levels and perceived benefits of risky behaviors.…”