Self-control and beliefs surrounding others’ cooperation predict own health-protective behaviors and support for COVID-19 government regulations: Evidence from two European countries

In the current pandemic, both self-regulated health-protective behavior and government-imposed regulations are needed for successful outbreak mitigation. Going forward, researchers and decision-makers must therefore understand the factors contributing to individuals’ engagement in health-protective behavior, and their support for government regulations. Integrating knowledge from the literatures on self-control and cooperation, we explore an informed selection of potential predictors of individuals’ health-protective behaviors as well as their support for government regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aiming for a conceptual replication in two European countries, we collected data in Switzerland (N = 352) and the UK before (N = 212) and during lockdown (n = 132) and conducted supervised machine learning for variable selection, followed by OLS regression, cross-sectionally and, in the UK sample, across time. Results showed that personal importance of outbreak mitigation and beliefs surrounding others’ cooperation are associated with both health-protective behavior and support for government regulations. Further, Swiss participants high in trait self-control engaged in health-protective behavior more often. Interestingly, perceived risk, age, and political orientation consistently displayed nonsignificant weak to zero associations with both health-protective behavior and support. Together, these findings highlight the contribution of self-control theories in explaining COVID-19-relevant outcomes, and underscore the importance of contextualizing self-control within the cooperative social context.

Download Full-text

Effectiveness of Health Belief Model in Adopting Protective Behaviors Against COVID-19

Health Scope ◽

10.5812/jhealthscope.113581 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol In Press (In Press) ◽

Author(s):

Sedigheh Salavati ◽

Hamid Shokri ◽

Asghar Tanoumand ◽

Ali Soleimani ◽

Maryam Shirvani Shiri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Belief Model ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Health Belief ◽

Perceived Barriers ◽

Perceived Benefits ◽

Protective Behavior ◽

Protective Behaviors ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Belief Model

Background: Adoption of protective health behaviors is extremely important to prevent the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the influencing factors on adopting preventive behaviors during COVID-19 using health belief model (HBM) among the urban population in Maragheh, a city from North West of Iran. Methods: We investigated 383 people via an online questionnaire from December 5 to 11, 2020. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed with an experts' panel of 10 health professionals, and its reliability was 0.74 through Cronbach’s alpha. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to analyze data. Results: The self-efficacy (17.1 ± 2.5) and perceived benefits (5.7 ± 0.5) were evaluated at a high level. The health behavior was also appraised with a high mean score (21.2 ± 3.2). Among the components of the health belief model, perceived risk, self-efficacy, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers, and among demographic variables, gender and marital status were the predictors of protective behaviors against COVID-19. Conclusions: Self-efficacy, perceived benefits, and perceived risk increased the incidence of protective behavior by 69% and 30%, respectively, and perceived barriers decreased it by 0.07%. Strengthening the ability to adopt protective behaviors and improving the public’s perception of the effectiveness of these behaviors can be useful.

Download Full-text

Report1: Impact of Covid-19 on young people aged 13-24 in the UK- preliminary findings

10.31234/osf.io/uq4rn ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Liat Levita ◽

Jilly Gibson Miller ◽

Todd K. Hartman ◽

Jamie Murphy ◽

Mark Shevlin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young People ◽

Emotional Regulation ◽

Health Anxiety ◽

Self Control ◽

Social Risk ◽

Need For Support ◽

The Uk ◽

Social Recovery ◽

The Impact

COVID-19 has led to an unprecedented disruption of normal social relationships and activities, which are so important during the teen years and young adulthood, and to education and economic activity worldwide. The impact of this on young people’s mental health and future prospects may affect their need for support and services, and the speed of the nation’s social recovery afterwards. This study focused on the unique challenges facing young people at different points during adolescent development, which spans from the onset of puberty until the mid-twenties. Although this is an immensely challenging time and there is a potential risk for long term trauma, adolescence can be a period of opportunity, where the teenagers’ brain enjoys greater capacity for change. Hence, the focus on young people is key for designing age-specific interventions and public policies, which can offer new strategies for instilling resilience, emotional regulation, and self-control. In fact, adolescents might be assisted to not only cope, but excel, in spite of the challenges imposed by this pandemic. Our work will feed into the larger societal response that utilizes the discoveries about adolescence in the way we raise, teach, and treat young people during this time of crisis. Wave 1 data has already been collected from 2,002 young people aged 13-24, measuring their mental health (anxiety, depression, trauma), family functioning, social networks, and resilience, and social risk-taking at the time of the pandemic. Here we present a preliminary report of our findings, (Report 1). Data collected 21/4/20- 29/4/20 - a month after the lockdown started).

Download Full-text

Perceived risk of lock-in in the front-end phase of major transportation projects

Transportation ◽

10.1007/s11116-021-10191-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Chantal C. Cantarelli ◽

David Oglethorpe ◽

Bert van Wee

Keyword(s):

Perceived Risk ◽

Risk Perceptions ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Project Proposal ◽

Implementation Phase ◽

Perceptions Of Risk ◽

Transportation Projects ◽

Front End ◽

Mediating Factor ◽

Lock In

AbstractLock-in is defined as the tendency to continue with an inefficient decision or project proposal. The front-end phase is critical to project success, yet most studies have focused on lock-in in the implementation phase. Moreover, little is known about the way in which decision-makers perceive the risk of lock-in. In this paper we identify determinants of lock-in in the front-end phase and we reveal decision-makers’ perceptions of risk of lock-in. Our findings show that risk attitudes towards lock-in vary with the level of risk aversion. However, this is not sufficiently acute to drive the level of regret needed to avoid lock-in. This implies that decision-makers do not accurately assess the risk of lock-in and as such their risk perceptions are a mediating factor in the formation of lock-in. Based on escalation of commitment, path dependency, and prospect theory, the main contribution lies in providing a more comprehensive understanding of lock-in in the front-end phase.

Download Full-text

Identifying Risk Factors Affecting the Usage of Digital and Social Media: A Preliminary Qualitative Study in the Dental Profession and Dental Education

Dentistry Journal ◽

10.3390/dj9050053 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 53

Author(s):

Rayan Sharka ◽

Jonathan P. San Diego ◽

Melanie Nasseripour ◽

Avijit Banerjee

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Dental Education ◽

Dental Students ◽

General Context ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

The Uk ◽

Dental Professionals

Aims: This study aimed to identify the risk factors of using DSM to provide an insight into the inherent implications this has on dental professionals in practice and trainee professionals’ education. Materials and methods: Twenty-one participants (10 dental professionals and 11 undergraduate and postgraduate dental students) participated in this qualitative study using semi-structured interviews in a dental school in the UK. The interviews were analysed and categorised into themes, some of which were identified from previous literature (e.g., privacy and psychological risks) and others emerged from the data (e.g., deceptive and misleading information). Results: The thematic analysis of interview transcripts identified nine perceived risk themes. Three themes were associated with the use of DSM in the general context, and six themes were related to the use of DSM in professional and education context. Conclusions: This study provided evidence to understand the risk factors of using DSM in dental education and the profession, but the magnitude of these risks on the uptake and usefulness of DSM needs to be assessed.

Download Full-text

Perceived Risk and Intentions to Practice Health Protective Behaviors in a Mining-Impacted Region

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17217916 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (21) ◽

pp. 7916

Author(s):

Courtney M. Cooper ◽

Jeff B. Langman ◽

Dilshani Sarathchandra ◽

Chantal A. Vella ◽

Chloe B. Wardropper

Keyword(s):

Perceived Risk ◽

Behavioral Intentions ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Health Belief ◽

Lead Contamination ◽

Protective Behaviors ◽

Lead Hazards ◽

Belief Model ◽

Northern Idaho ◽

The Health Belief Model

Effective risk communication strategies are critical to reducing lead exposure in mining-impacted communities. Understanding the strength of the associations between perceived risk and individuals’ behavioral intentions to protect their health is important for developing these strategies. We conducted a survey within three communities of northern Idaho, USA (n = 306) in or near a Superfund Megasite with legacy mining contamination. Survey data were used to test a theoretical model based on the Health Belief Model. Respondents had higher intentions to practice health protective behaviors when they perceived the risk of lead contamination as severe and recognized the benefits of practicing health protective behaviors. Women reported higher behavioral intentions than men, but age and mining affiliation were not significantly associated with behavioral intentions. Although managing lead hazards in communities impacted by mining is challenging due to widely distributed contamination, effective health risk messages, paired with remediation, are powerful tools to protect the health and safety of residents.

Download Full-text

Acceptability of COVID-19 Vaccines and Protective Behavior among Adults in Taiwan: Associations between Risk Perception and Willingness to Vaccinate against COVID-19

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18115579 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 5579

Author(s):

Feng-Jen Tsai ◽

Hsiu-Wen Yang ◽

Chia-Ping Lin ◽

Jeffrey Zen Liu

Keyword(s):

Risk Perception ◽

Final Analysis ◽

Personal Health ◽

College Level ◽

Protective Behavior ◽

Protective Behaviors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Vaccine Acceptance ◽

The Impact ◽

To Receive

This study aims to evaluate acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines and the impact of risk perception on vaccine acceptance and personal health protective behaviors in Taiwan. A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted from 19 to 30 October 2020; 1020 participants were included in the final analysis; chi-square and logistic regression analyses were conducted. In total, 52.7% of participants were willing to receive COVID-19 vaccines, 63.5% perceived the severity of COVID-19 in Taiwan as “not serious”, and nearly 40% were worried about COVID-19 infection. Participants with higher perceived severity of COVID-19 had significantly higher odds of refusing the vaccine (OR = 1.546), while those worried about infection had lower odds of poor health protective behaviors (OR = 0.685). Vaccine refusal reasons included “the EUA process is not strict enough” (48.7%) and “side effects” (30.3%). Those who had previously refused other vaccinations were 2.44 times more likely to refuse the COVID-19 vaccines. Participants’ age had an influence on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. In general, the Taiwanese public’s acceptance of the vaccine was lower than that in other high-income countries. Elderly participants and those with college-level education and above who had previously refused vaccines had lower willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Risk perception was positively associated with personal health protective behaviors but negatively associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

Download Full-text

E-Commerce Calls for Cyber-Security and Sustainability: How European Citizens Look for a Trusted Online Environment

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13126752 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 6752

Author(s):

Idiano D’Adamo ◽

Rocío González-Sánchez ◽

Maria Sonia Medina-Salgado ◽

Davide Settembre-Blundo

Keyword(s):

Cyber Security ◽

Theoretical Perspective ◽

Point Of View ◽

Decision Makers ◽

European Countries ◽

Business Strategies ◽

Public Authorities ◽

Regulatory Policies ◽

Critical Issues ◽

Different Levels

The pandemic has changed the citizens’ behavior, inducing them to avoid any real contact. This has given an incredible impulse to e-commerce; however, the complexity of the topic has not yet been adequately explored in the literature. To fill this gap, this study has a twofold purpose: (1) to investigate how European countries comparatively perform in e-commerce, and (2) to describe what are the most important challenges for the further expansion of e-commerce. To this end, we adopted a hybrid methodology based on multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and a Likert scale survey. The first method allows to us rank the e-commerce performance of different European countries, while the second one looks at the problems and barriers that characterize online shopping. The results of the study show that European countries have different sensitivities to the issue of cyber-security, and among them it is possible to identify three groups with different levels of attention to the critical issues of e-commerce. The Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark belong to the group of countries most responsive to e-commerce. This request is part of a broader framework of transition toward sustainable development, i.e., a reliable digital environment where citizens and businesses can exercise their rights and freedoms in complete security. Finally, from a theoretical perspective, this paper adds a new baseline to the literature on the state of the art of e-commerce in Europe that addresses the effects of the pandemic. From a managerial point of view, decision makers can find in the results of this analysis a support for the setting of business strategies for the expansion of firms in certain markets and guidance for public authorities when defining regulatory policies for e-commerce.

Download Full-text

Medical treatment and best interests: judicial interpretation of values, wishes and beliefs under the Mental Capacity Act 2005

The Journal of Adult Protection ◽

10.1108/jap-11-2019-0037 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 165-173

Author(s):

Owen P. O'Sullivan

Keyword(s):

Medical Treatment ◽

Clinical Decision ◽

Case Law ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Best Interests ◽

Content Type ◽

The Supreme Court ◽

Mental Capacity Act 2005 ◽

Mental Capacity Act ◽

The Uk

Purpose The prominence of the best interests principle in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 represented an important transition to a more resolutely patient-centred model regarding decision-making for incapable adults (“P”). This paper aims to examine the courts’ consideration of P’s values, wishes and beliefs in the context of medical treatment, reflect on whether this has resulted in a wide interpretation of the best interests standard and consider how this impacts clinical decision makers. Design/methodology/approach A particular focus will be on case law from the Court of Protection of England and Wales and the Supreme Court of the UK. Cases have been selected for discussion on the basis of the significance of their judgements for the field, the range of issues they illustrate and the extent of commentary and attention they have received in the literature. They are presented as a narrative review and are non-exhaustive. Findings With respect to values, wishes and beliefs, the best interests standard’s interpretation in the courts has been widely varied. Opposing tensions and thematic conflicts have emerged from this case law and were analysed from the perspective of the clinical decision maker. Originality/value This review illustrates the complexity and gravity of decisions of the clinical decision makers and the courts have considered in the context of best interests determinations for incapacitated adults undergoing medical treatment. Subsequent to the first such case before the Supreme Court of the UK, emerging case law trends relating to capacity legislation are considered.

Download Full-text

Beyond Willpower: Strategies for Reducing Failures of Self-Control

Psychological Science in the Public Interest ◽

10.1177/1529100618821893 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 102-129 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Angela L. Duckworth ◽

Katherine L. Milkman ◽

David Laibson

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Intervention ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Self Control ◽

Best Interests ◽

Psychological Science ◽

Contemporary Research ◽

The Right ◽

Do The Right Thing

Almost everyone struggles to act in their individual and collective best interests, particularly when doing so requires forgoing a more immediately enjoyable alternative. Other than exhorting decision makers to “do the right thing,” what can policymakers do to reduce overeating, undersaving, procrastination, and other self-defeating behaviors that feel good now but generate larger delayed costs? In this review, we synthesize contemporary research on approaches to reducing failures of self-control. We distinguish between self-deployed and other-deployed strategies and, in addition, between situational and cognitive intervention targets. Collectively, the evidence from both psychological science and economics recommends psychologically informed policies for reducing failures of self-control.

Download Full-text

Does the Perceived Risk of Punishment Deter Criminally Prone Individuals? Rational Choice, Self-Control, and Crime

Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency ◽

10.1177/0022427803260263 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 41 (2) ◽

pp. 180-213 ◽

Cited By ~ 165

Author(s):

Bradley R. E. Wright ◽

Avshalom Caspi ◽

Terrie E. Moffitt ◽

Ray Paternoster

Keyword(s):

Rational Choice ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Self Control

Download Full-text