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Demographic, structural, and psychological predictors of risk-increasing and mask wearing behaviors among US adults between December 2020–March 2021

Thorpe, Alistair; Zhong, Lingzi; Scherer, Laura D; Drews, Frank A; Shoemaker, Holly; Fagerlin, Angela; (2023) Demographic, structural, and psychological predictors of risk-increasing and mask wearing behaviors among US adults between December 2020–March 2021. Patient Education and Counseling , 114 , Article 107792. 10.1016/j.pec.2023.107792. Green open access

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Abstract

Objectives: To assess demographic, structural, and psychological predictors of risk-increasing and risk-decreasing behaviors Methods: This study used data from an online longitudinal, three-wave COVID-19 survey (12/20–03/21) regarding the behaviors, attitudes, and experiences of US Veteran (n = 584) and non-Veteran (n = 346) adults. Results: Inability to get groceries delivered emerged as the strongest predictor of more frequent risk-increasing behavior across all timepoints. Other consistent predictors of more frequent risk-increasing behavior and less frequent mask wearing included less worry about getting COVID-19, disbelief in science, belief in COVID-19 conspiracies, and negative perceptions of the state response. No demographic factor consistently predicted risk-increasing behavior or mask wearing, though different demographic predictors emerged for more frequent risk-increasing behaviors (e.g., lower health literacy) and mask-wearing (e.g., older age and urban residence) at certain timepoints. The most frequently endorsed reasons for having contact with others concerned health-related (food, medical care, and exercise) and social needs (seeing friends/family and boredom). Conclusions: These findings highlight key individual-level determinants of risk-increasing behaviors and mask wearing which encompass demographic, structural, and psychological factors.

Type: Article
Title: Demographic, structural, and psychological predictors of risk-increasing and mask wearing behaviors among US adults between December 2020–March 2021
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2023.107792
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2023.107792
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: COVID-19, Behavior change, Psychological factors, Public health measures, Health behaviors, Risk behaviors
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health > Applied Health Research
URI: https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10170110
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