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

Author

Listed:
  • 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Carmen Orte & Lidia Sánchez-Prieto & David Caldevilla Domínguez & Almudena Barrientos-Báez, 2020. "Evaluation of Distress and Risk Perception Associated with COVID-19 in Vulnerable Groups," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:24:p:9207-:d:459355
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Federica Maria Magarini & Margherita Pinelli & Arianna Sinisi & Silvia Ferrari & Giovanna Laura De Fazio & Gian Maria Galeazzi, 2021. "Irrational Beliefs about COVID-19: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-21, September.
    2. Carmen Sánchez-Cantalejo & María del Mar Rueda & Marc Saez & Iria Enrique & Ramón Ferri & Miguel de La Fuente & Román Villegas & Luis Castro & Maria Antònia Barceló & Antonio Daponte-Codina & Nicola L, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 on the Health of the General and More Vulnerable Population and Its Determinants: Health Care and Social Survey–ESSOC, Study Protocol," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-20, July.
    3. Sabrina Cipolletta & Gabriela Rios Andreghetti & Giovanna Mioni, 2022. "Risk Perception towards COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Synthesis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-25, April.

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