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Linking Self-Control, Hope, Positivity Ratio, Anxiety and Handwashing Habits during the Coronavirus Outbreak

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  • Shira Bukchin-Peles

    (Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-3310, USA
    Department of Geography, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91905, Israel
    The Glocal Program in International Development, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91905, Israel)

  • Tammie Ronen

    (Department of Social Work, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel)

Abstract

The novel COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the coronavirus. In the early stages of the pandemic, Israel struggled to contain its local outbreak through various measures that have virtually halted daily life and placed tens of thousands of people into quarantine. This study explored the role played by self-control and hope for obtaining two desired outcomes: (1) maintaining one’s positivity ratio (having more positive than negative affect—an indicator of wellbeing) and (2) increasing one’s contagion-preventing behavior (in this study—handwashing habits). Path analysis was conducted using survey data collected from 537 Israeli adults. Our findings suggest that self-control’s association with the positivity ratio is mediated through hope and anxiety levels. Self-control positively correlates with hope levels and negatively correlates with anxiety levels. Higher hope levels correlate with a higher positivity ratio, while lower anxiety levels correlate with a higher positivity ratio. The relationship between self-control and handwashing habits was mediated by hope, anxiety, and existing handwashing habits. This study brings research a step forward in demonstrating the vital role of positive components in achieving desired psychological and behavioral outcomes during an anxiety-provoking epidemic outbreak. In addition to its theoretical innovation, the importance of this study lies in its practical value: We focus on variables that are influenced by policy, education, and communication.

Suggested Citation

  • Shira Bukchin-Peles & Tammie Ronen, 2022. "Linking Self-Control, Hope, Positivity Ratio, Anxiety and Handwashing Habits during the Coronavirus Outbreak," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:14:p:8859-:d:868499
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Liat Hamama & Tammie Ronen & Keren Shachar & Michael Rosenbaum, 2013. "Links Between Stress, Positive and Negative Affect, and Life Satisfaction Among Teachers in Special Education Schools," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(3), pages 731-751, June.
    2. Agbaria, Qutaiba & Ronen, Tammie & Hamama, Liat, 2012. "The link between developmental components (age and gender), need to belong and resources of self-control and feelings of happiness, and frequency of symptoms among Arab adolescents in Israel," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(10), pages 2018-2027.
    3. Victoria McGeer, 2004. "The Art of Good Hope," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 592(1), pages 100-127, March.
    4. Shachar, Keren & Ronen-Rosenbaum, Tammie & Rosenbaum, Michael & Orkibi, Hod & Hamama, Liat, 2016. "Reducing child aggression through sports intervention: The role of self-control skills and emotions," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 241-249.
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    Cited by:

    1. Masaya Kobayashi & Hikari Ishido & Jiro Mizushima & Hirotaka Ishikawa, 2022. "Multi-Dimensional Dynamics of Psychological Health Disparities under the COVID-19 in Japan: Fairness/Justice in Socio-Economic and Ethico-Political Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-45, December.

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