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Behavioral Correlates of COVID-19 Worry: Stigma, Knowledge, and News Source

Author

Listed:
  • Gabriella Y. Meltzer

    (Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA)

  • Virginia W. Chang

    (Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
    Department of Population Health, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA)

  • Sarah A. Lieff

    (Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA)

  • Margaux M. Grivel

    (Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA)

  • Lawrence H. Yang

    (Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
    Department of Epidemiology, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
    Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
    Indicates co-senior authorship.)

  • Don C. Des Jarlais

    (Department of Epidemiology, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
    Indicates co-senior authorship.)

Abstract

Non-adherence to COVID-19 guidelines may be attributable to low levels of worry. This study assessed whether endorsing COVID-19-stigmatizing restrictions, COVID-19 knowledge, and preferred news source were associated with being ‘very worried’ versus ‘not at all’ or ‘somewhat’ worried about contracting COVID-19. Survey data were collected in July–August 2020 from N = 547 New York State (NYS) and N = 504 national Amazon MTurk workers. Respondents who endorsed COVID-19 stigmatizing restrictions (NYS OR 1.96; 95% CI 1.31, 2.92; national OR 1.80; 95% CI 1.06, 3.08) and consumed commercial news (NYS OR 1.89; 95% CI 1.21, 2.96; national OR 1.93; 95% CI 1.24, 3.00) were more likely to be very worried. National respondents who consumed The New York Times (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.00, 2.29) were more likely to be very worried, while those with little knowledge (OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.13, 0.43) were less likely to be very worried. NYS (OR 2.66; 95% CI 1.77, 4.00) and national (OR 3.17; 95% CI 1.95, 5.16) respondents with probable depression were also more likely to be very worried. These characteristics can help identify those requiring intervention to maximize perceived threat to COVID-19 and encourage uptake of protective behaviors while protecting psychological wellbeing.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabriella Y. Meltzer & Virginia W. Chang & Sarah A. Lieff & Margaux M. Grivel & Lawrence H. Yang & Don C. Des Jarlais, 2021. "Behavioral Correlates of COVID-19 Worry: Stigma, Knowledge, and News Source," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11436-:d:668776
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    References listed on IDEAS

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