Science knowledge and trust in medicine affect individuals’ behavior in pandemic crises

Abstract

In pandemic crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals’ behavior has a strong impact on epidemiological processes. Compliance with prevention guidelines, such as social distancing, is critical to avoid further spreading an infectious disease or to slow down its spread. However, some individuals also or instead engage in panic behavior, such as hoarding. We investigate how education prepares individuals to respond adequately by modelling the path from seeking information about COVID-19 to eventual behavior. Based on a sample of N = 1182 adult Americans, gathered at the pandemic’s onset (March 2020), we conclude that science knowledge helps individuals convert information into coronavirus knowledge. This knowledge then helps individuals avoid panic behavior. Individuals lacking coronavirus knowledge and science knowledge still comply with prevention guidelines when they have a general trust in medicine. Individuals lacking knowledge still follow prevention guidelines when they trust in medicine. Facilitating science knowledge and trust in science through education and targeted public health messaging are likely to be of fundamental importance for bringing crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic under control.

Trust in Medicine as a Factor Conditioning Behaviors Recommended by Healthcare Experts during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland

“…Research has also shown that confidence in the government [ 54 ], institutional trust [ 55 ], and healthcare system trust [ 56 , 57 , 58 ] were associated with a higher subordination of the recommended behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also found studies that, like ours, show that trust in medicine (understood as trust in doctors) increases compliance with preventative behavior [ 59 ]. However, in our study—compared to the one cited above—trust was defined more broadly.…”

With the little help of science understanding: Examining the direct and indirect role of scientific reasoning and trust in science in normative health behaviour during pandemic

“…The effect of trust in science was observed also in Szczuka's et al study (2020); moreover, authors assumed that the exposure to scientists and thus to scientific knowledge could affect cognitive processes. This assumption was supported by Sailer et al (2021) information seeking led to greater knowledge about coronavirus and a better general science understanding, and together with high trust in medicine, this greater knowledge was associated with stronger adherence to preventive measures. Moreover, less knowledgeable people with high trust in medicine complied more with coronavirus preventive measures.…”

The effects of information-seeking behaviours on prevention behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic: the mediating effects of anxiety and fear in Korea

“…It is important to note, however, that time spent seeking information also positively correlated with hoarding and trying unvalidated alternative remedies. A recent study from the United States showed that paying attention to information about COVID-19 was correlated with hoarding toilet paper and avoiding crowded spaces [ 39 ]. This suggests that, while individuals trying to gather information during a pandemic may be more likely to take protective actions, those actions are not necessarily limited to those recommended by authorities.…”