Evaluation of Distress and Risk Perception Associated with COVID-19 in Vulnerable Groups

Carmen Orte, Lidia Sánchez-Prieto, David Caldevilla Domínguez and Almudena Barrientos-Báez
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Carmen Orte: Department of Pedagogy and Specific Didactics, University of the Balearic Islands, Ctra. De Valldemossa km. 7.5. 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Lidia Sánchez-Prieto: Department of Pedagogy and Specific Didactics, University of the Balearic Islands, Ctra. De Valldemossa km. 7.5. 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
David Caldevilla Domínguez: Faculty of Information Science, Complutense University of Madrid, Avda. de Séneca, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Almudena Barrientos-Báez: Iriarte University School of Tourism, University of La Laguna, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 24, 1-12

Abstract: Preventive behavior developed by the population is essential in the face of the risk of coronavirus infection (COVID-19). However, preventive measures will depend on the risk perception acquired. In addition, lockdown can directly affect mental health, provoking distress. Distress could affect risk perception. This study’s objective was to analyze whether experiencing distress had an influence on risk perception with respect to vulnerable groups. The sample consisted of 806 participants. The study was conducted during the first week of lockdown declared by the Spanish Government. The Brief Symptom Inventory BSI-18 and a risk perception questionnaire about vulnerable groups was administered. The study revealed the appearance of distress in 9.6% of the sample (85.7% women). Experiencing distress influenced risk perception. This study’s main contribution is the link between experiencing distress and the risk perception with respect to vulnerable groups. Risk perception is relevant since it can influence how the population faces the pandemic. Transmission of accurate information could help to minimize the effect of certain cognitive biases that affect risk perception and foster preventive behavior.

Keywords: COVID-19; distress; risk perception; vulnerable groups; coping strategies; pandemic; preventive measures; information transmission; preventive behavior; BSI-18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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