A model to understand COVID-19 preventive behaviors in young adults: Health locus of control and pandemic-related fear. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bianchi, Dora; Lonigro, Antonia; Norcia, Anna Di; Tata, Daniele Di; Pompili, Sara; Zammuto, Marta; Cannoni, Eleonora; Longobardi, Emiddia; Laghi, Fiorenzo
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 27:Number 14(2022)
• Page Start: 3148
• Page End: 3163
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: COVID-19 prevention behaviors -- health locus of control -- fear -- young adults; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/13591053221089722
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

This study investigated COVID-19 preventive behaviors in young adults, exploring the predictive roles of health locus of control and pandemic fear. A sample of 188 Italian young adults (Mage = 22.76, SDage = 1.95 ; 85% girls) completed an anonymous online survey assessing preventive behaviors, health locus of control styles (i.e. internal, chance, powerful others), and two dimensions of pandemic fear. Fear for COVID-19 consequences—but not general fear for contagion—significantly predicted prevention behaviors, and it also moderated the relationships between each health locus of control style and preventive behaviors. Our findings have relevant implications for research and social policies.