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Politicization of COVID-19 health-protective behaviors in the United States: Longitudinal and cross-national evidence

Stroebe, Wolfgang, vanDellen, Michelle R., Abakoumkin, Georgios, Lemay, Edward P., schiavone, William M., Agostini, Maximilian, Belanger, J., Gützkow, Ben, Kreienkamp, Jannis, Reitsema, Anne M., and others. (2021) Politicization of COVID-19 health-protective behaviors in the United States: Longitudinal and cross-national evidence. PLoS ONE, 16 (10). Article Number e0256740. ISSN 1932-6203. (doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0256740) (KAR id:100489)

Abstract

During the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. conservative politicians and the media downplayed the risk of both contracting COVID-19 and the effectiveness of recommended health behaviors. Health behavior theories suggest perceived vulnerability to a health threat and perceived effectiveness of recommended health-protective behaviors determine motivation to follow recommendations. Accordingly, we predicted that—as a result of politicization of the pandemic—politically conservative Americans would be less likely to enact recommended health-protective behaviors. In two longitudinal studies of U.S. residents, political conservatism was inversely associated with perceived health risk and adoption of health-protective behaviors over time. The effects of political orientation on health-protective behaviors were mediated by perceived risk of infection, perceived severity of infection, and perceived effectiveness of the health-protective behaviors. In a global cross-national analysis, effects were stronger in the U.S. (N = 10,923) than in an international sample (total N = 51,986), highlighting the increased and overt politicization of health behaviors in the U.S.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256740
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Funders: University of Kent (https://ror.org/00xkeyj56)
Depositing User: Cassidy Rowden
Date Deposited: 15 Mar 2023 15:52 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Mar 2023 11:10 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/100489 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Chobthamkit, Phatthanakit.

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CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Douglas, Karen.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0381-6924
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Sutton, Robbie M..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1542-1716
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