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Hedonic Risk Preference Associated with High-Risk Behaviors under COVID-19 Pandemic among Medical Students in Japan

Author

Listed:
  • Zechen Zeng

    (Department of Global Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan)

  • Nobutoshi Nawa

    (Department of Medical Education Research and Development, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan)

  • Chie Hirama

    (Department of Global Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan)

  • Takeo Fujiwara

    (Department of Global Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan)

Abstract

Background: Public health measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 have focused on raising awareness and disseminating knowledge. Few considered people’s risk preferences and no measurement was adapted to the context of COVID-19. This study aims (1) to investigate the association between risk preference and risk behaviors and (2) to compare a novel hedonic preference question with traditional risk preference assessment tools in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic among medical students in Japan. Methods: An online survey of fourth-year medical students was conducted. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for gender, age, household income, and the overconfidence effect were performed to investigate the association. Results: We observed significantly higher odds of high-risk behaviors in general risk preference (odds ratio (OR): 4.04; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05–15.50) and hedonic preference (OR: 6.58; 95% CI: 1.86–23.28) when adjusted, whereas monetary preference showed no significant association. Concerning specific risky behaviors, hedonic preference were significantly associated with four items after adjusting for covariates (“dine out” (OR: 2.78, 95% CI: 1.13–6.85), “go out” (OR: 4.35, 95% CI: 1.65–11.46), “not practicing safety precautions” (OR: 2.79, 95% CI: 1.11–7.04) and “travel” (OR: 4.36, 95% CI: 1.42–13.44)), and general preference in two (“dine out” (OR: 4.82, 95% CI: 1.66–14.00) and “go out” (OR: 6.48, 95% CI: 2.07–20.24)). Conclusion: Hedonic and general risk preferences were significantly associated with high-risk behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future application of the novel risk-for-pleasure-seeking preference question is warranted.

Suggested Citation

  • Zechen Zeng & Nobutoshi Nawa & Chie Hirama & Takeo Fujiwara, 2023. "Hedonic Risk Preference Associated with High-Risk Behaviors under COVID-19 Pandemic among Medical Students in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(12), pages 1-13, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:12:p:6090-:d:1167312
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    References listed on IDEAS

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