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Risk Perception towards COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Synthesis

Author

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  • Sabrina Cipolletta

    (Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, 35122 Padova, Italy)

  • Gabriela Rios Andreghetti

    (Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, 35122 Padova, Italy)

  • Giovanna Mioni

    (Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, 35122 Padova, Italy)

Abstract

Several studies have attempted to identify how people’s risk perceptions differ in regard to containing COVID-19 infections. The aim of the present review was to illustrate how risk awareness towards COVID-19 predicts people’s preventive behaviors and to understand which features are associated with it. For the review, 77 articles found in six different databases ( ProQuest , PsycInfo , PubMed , Science Direct , SCOPUS , and Web of Science ) were considered, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was followed, and data synthesis was conducted using a mixed-methods approach. The results indicate that a high-risk perception towards COVID-19 predicts, in general, compliance with preventive behaviors and social distancing measures. Additionally, risk awareness was found to be associated with four other key themes: demographic factors, individual factors, geographical factors, and timing. Therefore, gaining a greater understanding of individual and cultural differences as well as how people behave could be the basis of an effective strategy for raising public risk awareness and for countering COVID-19.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:8:p:4649-:d:792263
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Fu, Shixuan & Zheng, Xiaojiang & Wang, Hongpeng & Luo, Yunzhong, 2023. "Fear appeals and coping appeals for health product promotion: Impulsive purchasing or psychological distancing?," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    2. Martin-Lapoirie, Dylan & McColl, Kathleen & Gallopel-Morvan, Karine & Arwidson, Pierre & Raude, Jocelyn, 2024. "Health protective behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic: Risk adaptation or habituation?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 342(C).
    3. De Witte, Dries & Delporte, Margaux & Molenberghs, Geert & Verbeke, Geert & Demarest, Stefaan & Hoorens, Vera, 2023. "Self-uniqueness beliefs and adherence to recommended precautions. A 5-wave longitudinal COVID-19 study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).
    4. Katarzyna Domosławska-Żylińska & Magdalena Krysińska-Pisarek & Katarzyna Czabanowska & Giulia Sesa, 2022. "Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Risk Perceptions and Motivations for COVID-19 Preventive Measures Based on EPPM—A Polish Qualitative Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-12, October.

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