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Beron JC, Solovey G, Ferrelli IA, Pedreira ME, Fernández RS. Large environmental changes reduce valence-dependent belief updating. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10429. [PMID: 38714776 PMCID: PMC11076288 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61207-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/10/2024] Open
Abstract
When updating beliefs, humans tend to integrate more desirable information than undesirable information. In stable environments (low uncertainty and high predictability), this asymmetry favors motivation towards action and perceived self-efficacy. However, in changing environments (high uncertainty and low predictability), this process can lead to risk underestimation and increase unwanted costs. Here, we examine how people (n = 388) integrate threatening information during an abrupt environmental change (mandatory quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic). Given that anxiety levels are associated with the magnitude of the updating belief asymmetry; we explore its relationship during this particular context. We report a significant reduction in asymmetrical belief updating during a large environmental change as individuals integrated desirable and undesirable information to the same extent. Moreover, this result was supported by computational modeling of the belief update task. However, we found that the reduction in asymmetrical belief updating was not homogeneous among people with different levels of Trait-anxiety. Individuals with higher levels of Trait-anxiety maintained a valence-dependent updating, as it occurs in stable environments. On the other hand, updating behavior was not associated with acute anxiety (State-Anxiety), health concerns (Health-Anxiety), or having positive expectations (Trait-Optimism). These results suggest that highly uncertain environments can generate adaptive changes in information integration. At the same time, it reveals the vulnerabilities of individuals with higher levels of anxiety to adapt the way they learn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Cruz Beron
- Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIByNE)-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Guillermo Solovey
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Instituto de Cálculo, UBA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ignacio A Ferrelli
- Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIByNE)-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María E Pedreira
- Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIByNE)-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rodrigo S Fernández
- Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIByNE)-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia de la Memoria, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires IFIByNE, CONICET, Ciudad Universitaria (C1428EHA), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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2
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Łyś AE, Huflejt-Łukasik M, Gambin M, Studzińska A, Bargiel-Matusiewicz K, Oleksy T, Wnuk A, Pankowski D. Predictors of pretraumatic stress during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290151. [PMID: 37594938 PMCID: PMC10437860 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pretraumatic stress has the same symptoms as post-traumatic stress but instead pertains to anticipated threats. There is evidence that pretraumatic stress occurs among soldiers and pregnant people. OBJECTIVE We analyzed correlates of pretraumatic stress concerning the threat of COVID-19 infection. METHOD Our pilot study was cross-sectional (N = 74); our main study was longitudinal and consisted of three waves (N = 1067, N = 894, and N = 752 for Waves 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Our pilot study used correlation and multiple linear regression. Our main study used quadratic regression and a random intercept cross-lagged panel model. RESULTS The pilot study found that pretraumatic stress was positively correlated with agreeableness (r = .24, p < .01) and negatively correlated with emotional stability (r = -.30, p < .01) and intellect/imagination (r = -.37, p < .01). The main study demonstrated that pretraumatic stress was positively correlated with other measures of mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic and with perceived positive aspects of the pandemic (r = .11, p < .01). There is evidence of a U-shaped relationship between pretraumatic stress and perceived positive aspects of the pandemic. A random intercept cross-lagged panel model analysis demonstrated that pretraumatic stress in Wave 2 was negatively predicted by levels of prosocial behavior in Wave 1 (B = -1.130, p < .01). CONCLUSION Mental health professionals should take into account pretraumatic stress, not only as a possible consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak but more generally as a risk in situations that are new, difficult, and challenging for people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka E. Łyś
- Faculty of Psychology and Cognitive Science, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
| | | | | | - Anna Studzińska
- Toulouse Campus, Icam School of Engineering, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Tomasz Oleksy
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Wnuk
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Daniel Pankowski
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Economics and Human Sciences in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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3
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Bottemanne H, Joly L. [Mother brain: Bayesian theory of maternal interoception during pregnancy and postpartum]. L'ENCEPHALE 2023; 49:185-195. [PMID: 36243551 DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2022.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The perinatal period, including pregnancy and postpartum, causes major morphological, endocrinal, and thermal transitions in women. As the fetus grows, abdominal muscle fibers stretch, internal organs such as the bladder or colon move, and the uterine anatomy changes. Many of these changes involve interoception, the perception of internal body signals such as muscle and visceral sensations. Despite the importance of these interoceptive signals, few studies have explored perinatal interoception. We propose an innovative theory of maternal interoception based on recent findings in neuroscience. We show that interoceptive signals processing during pregnancy is crucial for understanding perinatal phenomenology and psychopathology, such as maternal perception of fetal movements, maternal-infant bonding, denial of pregnancy, phantom fetal movements after childbirth, pseudocyesis or even puerperal delusion. Knowing the importance of these interoceptive mechanisms, clinicians in obstetrics, gynecology and mental health should be particularly vigilant to maternal interoception during the perinatal period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Bottemanne
- Department of Psychiatry, Sorbonne University, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, DMU Neuroscience, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France; Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Department of Neuroscience, UMR 7225/UMRS 1127, Sorbonne University/CNRS/INSERM, Paris, France; Sorbonne University, Department of Philosophy, SND Research Unit, UMR 8011, CNRS, Paris, France.
| | - Lucie Joly
- Department of Psychiatry, Sorbonne University, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, DMU Neuroscience, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France; Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Department of Neuroscience, UMR 7225/UMRS 1127, Sorbonne University/CNRS/INSERM, Paris, France
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4
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Wibowo RA, Hartarto RB, Bhattacharjee A, Wardani DTK, Sambodo NP, Santoso Utomo P, Annisa L, Hakim MS, Sofyana M, Dewi FST. Facilitators and barriers of preventive behaviors against COVID-19 during Ramadan: A phenomenology of Indonesian adults. Front Public Health 2023; 11:960500. [PMID: 37033074 PMCID: PMC10073479 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.960500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Intercity mobility restriction, physical distancing, and mask-wearing are preventive behaviors to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. However, strong cultural and religious traditions become particular challenges in Indonesia. This study uses the Behavior Change Wheel to explore barriers and facilitators for intercity mobility restriction, physical distancing, and mask-wearing during Ramadan. Methods Semi-structured in-depth interviews with 50 Indonesian adults were conducted between 10 April and 4 June 2020. Having mapped codes into the Capacity, Opportunity, Motivation - Behavior (COM-B), and Theoretical Domain Framework (TDF) model, we conducted summative content analysis to analyze the most identified factors to preventive behaviors and proposed interventions to address those factors. Results Belief about the consequence of preventive behaviors was the most mentioned facilitator to all preventive behaviors among compliers. However, optimism as a TDF factor was commonly mentioned as a barrier to preventive behaviors among non-compliers, while environmental context and resources were the most commonly mentioned factors for intercity mobility restriction. Conclusions Public health intervention should be implemented considering the persuasion and involvement of religious and local leaders. Concerning job and economic context, policy related to the intercity mobility restriction should be reconsidered to prevent a counterproductive effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakhmat Ari Wibowo
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Romi Bhakti Hartarto
- Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Arnab Bhattacharjee
- Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- The National Institute of Economic and Social Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dyah Titis Kusuma Wardani
- Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Novat Pugo Sambodo
- Center for Health Financing Policy and Health Insurance Management, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Prattama Santoso Utomo
- Department of Medical Education and Bioethics, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Luthvia Annisa
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Mohamad Saifudin Hakim
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Meida Sofyana
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Fatwa Sari Tetra Dewi
- Department of Health Behavior, Environment and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
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Trust in scientists, risk perception, conspiratorial beliefs, and unrealistic optimism: A network approach to investigating the psychological underpinnings of COVID-19 vaccination intentions. SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL BULLETIN 2022. [DOI: 10.32872/spb.7807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Using a network approach, we addressed in two studies interrelations among potential antecedents of vaccine intentions, related to both COVID-19 risk perception and epistemic beliefs (i.e., trust in scientists and conspiracy beliefs). In Study 1 and 2, we assessed a US (N = 994) and an international sample (N = 902) during spring and summer 2020. The network analysis reveals a complex interplay of factors where trust in scientists, the closest predictor of vaccine intention, is associated with conspiracy beliefs and danger perception. Furthermore, we found evidence for unrealistic optimism, with participants perceiving the risk of getting infected with COVID-19 as lower compared to the risk they attributed to other people. However, this bias was not associated with vaccine intention. Study 2 corroborated these results. The results call for a global change in the narrative which should highlight the epistemic authority of science in order to build a stronger trust in the scientific community. However, tackling trust in scientists needs a wider field of persuasion that includes conspiracy beliefs and risk perception factors.
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Bottemanne H. Théories du complot et COVID-19 : comment naissent les croyances complotistes ? Encephale 2022; 48:571-582. [PMID: 35597682 PMCID: PMC8818386 DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2021.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
La pandémie COVID-19 causée par le nouveau coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 a provoqué une crise mondiale sans précédent, associée à une prolifération de théories du complot. La prévalence de ces croyances complotistes a participé à affaiblir la crédibilité des mesures gouvernementales de santé publique, limiter l'accès des citoyens aux sources d’information fiables, et perturber la réponse des systèmes de santé face à la crise sanitaire. Plusieurs hypothèses ont été proposées en psychologie et en sciences sociales pour comprendre la genèse de ces croyances dans des contextes épidémiques, associant l’implication conjointe de facteurs psychologiques (comme la volonté de préserver sa sécurité, de maintenir une image de soi positive, ou encore de renforcer son rôle social) et sociodémographiques (comme les caractéristiques générationnelles, socioculturelles et politiques des individus). Toutefois, les découvertes récentes en sciences cognitives à propos des mécanismes élémentaires de traitement de l'information offrent un nouvel éclairage sur la génération des croyances conspirationnistes à travers les époques et les cultures. Dans cet article, nous proposons une définition de la théorie du complot et une classification des croyances complotistes pendant la pandémie de COVID-19. Nous montrons comment les mécanismes de génération et de mise à jour des croyances permettent d'expliquer la genèse des théories du complot, et nous proposons plusieurs hypothèses étayées par les recherches contemporaines en sciences cognitives et en sciences sociales à propos des théories du complot.
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Demel R, Grassi F, Rafiee Y, Waldmann MR, Schacht A. How German and Italian Laypeople Reason about Distributive Shortages during COVID-19. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12067. [PMID: 36231370 PMCID: PMC9566015 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique opportunity to investigate how moral reasoning is influenced by individuals' exposure to a crisis and by personal, societal and temporal proximity. We examined how Italians and Germans judged different behaviors that arose because of the pandemic, which affected health and societal matters. (2) Methods: Over the course of four months and three assessment periods, we used an observational online survey to assess participants' judgments regarding seven scenarios that addressed distributive shortages during the pandemic. (3) Results: Overall, there was no clear answering pattern across all scenarios. For a variation of triage and pandemic restrictions, most participants selected a mean value, which can be interpreted as deferring the choice. For the other scenarios, most participants used the extremes of the scale, thereby reflecting a clear opinion of the public regarding the moral issue. In addition, moral reasoning varied across the two countries, assessment periods, fear, and age. (4) Conclusions: By using scenarios that were taken from real-life experiences, the current study addresses criticism that moral research mostly relies on unrealistic scenarios that lack in external validity, plausibility, and proximity to everyday situations. In addition, it shows how lay people regard measures of public health and societal decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronja Demel
- Institute of Psychology, Georg-August University, 37073 Goettingen, Germany
- Institute of Psychology, Humboldt University of Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Leibniz Science Campus “Primate Cognition”, 37077 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Francesco Grassi
- Institute of Psychology, Georg-August University, 37073 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Yasaman Rafiee
- Institute of Psychology, Georg-August University, 37073 Goettingen, Germany
- Leibniz Science Campus “Primate Cognition”, 37077 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Michael R. Waldmann
- Institute of Psychology, Georg-August University, 37073 Goettingen, Germany
- Leibniz Science Campus “Primate Cognition”, 37077 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Annekathrin Schacht
- Institute of Psychology, Georg-August University, 37073 Goettingen, Germany
- Leibniz Science Campus “Primate Cognition”, 37077 Goettingen, Germany
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8
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Bottemanne H, Barberousse A, Fossati P. [Multidimensional and computational theory of mood]. Encephale 2022; 48:682-699. [PMID: 35987716 DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2022.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
What is mood? Despite its crucial place in psychiatric nosography and cognitive science, it is still difficult to delimit its conceptual ground. The distinction between emotion and mood is ambiguous: mood is often presented as an affective state that is more prolonged and less intense than emotion, or as an affective polarity distinguishing high and low mood swinging around a baseline. However, these definitions do not match the clinical reality of mood disorders such as unipolar depression and bipolar disorder, and do not allow us to understand the effect of mood on behaviour, perception and cognition. In this paper, we propose a multidimensional and computational theory of mood inspired by contemporary hypotheses in theoretical neuroscience and philosophy of emotion. After suggesting an operational distinction between emotion and mood, we show how a succession of emotions can cumulatively generate congruent mood over time, making mood an emerging state from emotion. We then present how mood determines mental and behavioral states when interacting with the environment, constituting a dispositional state of emotion, perception, belief, and action. Using this theoretical framework, we propose a computational representation of the emerging and dispositional dimensions of mood by formalizing mood as a layer of third-order Bayesian beliefs encoding the precision of emotion, and regulated by prediction errors associated with interoceptive predictions. Finally, we show how this theoretical framework sheds light on the processes involved in mood disorders, the emergence of mood congruent beliefs, or the mechanisms of antidepressant treatments in clinical psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Bottemanne
- Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Sorbonne University/CNRS/Inserm, Paris, France; Department of philosophy, Sciences Normes Démocratie research unit, Sorbonne university/CNRS, Paris, France; Department of psychiatry, DMU Neuroscience, Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital, Sorbonne university/Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France.
| | - Anouk Barberousse
- Department of philosophy, Sciences Normes Démocratie research unit, Sorbonne university/CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Fossati
- Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Sorbonne University/CNRS/Inserm, Paris, France; Department of psychiatry, DMU Neuroscience, Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital, Sorbonne university/Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
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9
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Bottemanne H, Charron M, Joly L. [Perinatal beliefs: Neurocognitive mechanisms and cultural specificities]. GYNECOLOGIE, OBSTETRIQUE, FERTILITE & SENOLOGIE 2022; 50:542-552. [PMID: 35288367 DOI: 10.1016/j.gofs.2022.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Perinatal beliefs contribute to the experience of pregnancy and the process of parenthood. Many of these perinatal beliefs have been perpetuated and evolved over time and throughout the world, exerting their influence on the behavior of pregnant women in interaction with medical recommendations. These beliefs generally offer explanations for gravidic and puerperal phenomena, helping to reduce the uncertainty of parents faced with the biological, psychological and social transitions of pregnancy. But certain beliefs can also be harmful, and alter the maternal experience of pregnancy and postpartum. In this paper, we provide an overview of the beliefs associated with the perinatal period. We successively detail the beliefs concerning fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, specifying the cultural beliefs from other cultures interacting with medical recommendations. Finally, we propose a neurocognitive model of perinatal beliefs generation, and we show the need to know these beliefs to improve care in midwifery, obstetrics, and fetal medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Bottemanne
- Department of Psychiatry, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, DMU Neurosciences, Sorbonne University/Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France; Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau (ICM), UMR 7225/UMRS 1127, Sorbonne University/CNRS/INSERM, Paris, France; Sorbonne University, Department of Philosophy, SND Research Unit, UMR 8011, CNRS, Paris, France.
| | - Morgane Charron
- Department of Psychiatry, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, DMU Neurosciences, Sorbonne University/Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
| | - Lucie Joly
- Department of Psychiatry, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, DMU Neurosciences, Sorbonne University/Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
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10
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Wolaver A, Doces J. Whistling Through the COVID-19 Pandemic: Optimism Bias and Political Beliefs in the United States. AMERICAN POLITICS RESEARCH 2022; 50:396-415. [PMID: 35516459 PMCID: PMC8814613 DOI: 10.1177/1532673x211055043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Utilizing a nationally representative survey of Americans from December 2020, we consider the degree to which COVID-19 risk perceptions are related to political factors. We examine the likelihood that one believes they will be infected with COVID-19, the likelihood that a peer will be infected, and the difference between the individual and peer perceived risks, known as optimism bias, and compare these perceptions across partisan characteristics. Results show that Trump voting category is the most important contributor to perceived COVID-19 risks. We find similar partisan differences as prior research, note that these differences persisted through the end of 2020, despite the post-Thanksgiving surge with high and growing rates of COVID in all regions of the United States. Contrary to prior expectations, partisanship does not strongly predict the level of optimism bias, as both assessed personal and general health risks track closely with one another by both political party and ideology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Wolaver
- Department of Economics, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, USA
| | - John Doces
- Department of Political Science, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, USA
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11
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Herbec A, Brown J, Jackson SE, Kale D, Zatoński M, Garnett C, Chadborn T, Shahab L. Perceived risk factors for severe Covid-19 symptoms and their association with health behaviours: Findings from the HEBECO study. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2022; 222:103458. [PMID: 34933210 PMCID: PMC8639445 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2021.103458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Risk perceptions are important influences on health behaviours. We used descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models to assess cross-sectionally risk perceptions for severe Covid-19 symptoms and their health behaviour correlates among 2206 UK adults from the HEBECO study. The great majority (89-99%) classified age 70+, having comorbidities, being a key worker, overweight, and from an ethnic minority as increasing the risk. People were less sure about alcohol drinking, vaping, and nicotine replacement therapy use (17.4-29.5% responding 'don't know'). Relative to those who did not, those who engaged in the following behaviours had higher odds of classifying these behaviours as (i) decreasing the risk: smoking cigarettes (adjusted odds ratios, aORs, 95% CI = 2.26, 1.39-3.37), and using e-cigarettes (aORs = 5.80, 3.25-10.34); (ii) having no impact: smoking cigarettes (1.98; 1.42-2.76), using e-cigarettes (aORs = 2.63, 1.96-3.50), drinking alcohol (aORs = 1.75, 1.31-2.33); and lower odds of classifying these as increasing the risk: smoking cigarettes (aORs: 0.43, 0.32-0.56), using e-cigarettes (aORs = 0.25, 0.18-0.35). Similarly, eating more fruit and vegetables was associated with classifying unhealthy diet as 'increasing risk' (aOR = 1.37, 1.12-1.69), and exercising more with classifying regular physical activity as 'decreasing risk' (aOR = 2.42, 1.75-3.34). Risk perceptions for severe Covid-19 among UK adults were lower for their own health behaviours, evidencing optimism bias. These risk perceptions may form barriers to changing people's own unhealthy behaviours, make them less responsive to interventions that refer to the risk of Covid-19 as a motivating factor, and exacerbate inequalities in health behaviours and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Herbec
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, UCL, UK; Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, UCL, UK; Behavioural Insights, Public Health England, UK.
| | - Jamie Brown
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, UCL, UK
| | | | - Dimitra Kale
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, UCL, UK
| | - Mateusz Zatoński
- Institute - European Observatory of Health Inequalities, Calisia University, Kalisz, Poland; Tobacco Control Research Group, Department for Health, University of Bath, UK
| | | | | | - Lion Shahab
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, UCL, UK
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12
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McColl K, Debin M, Souty C, Guerrisi C, Turbelin C, Falchi A, Bonmarin I, Paolotti D, Obi C, Duggan J, Moreno Y, Wisniak A, Flahault A, Blanchon T, Colizza V, Raude J. Are People Optimistically Biased about the Risk of COVID-19 Infection? Lessons from the First Wave of the Pandemic in Europe. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 19:436. [PMID: 35010707 PMCID: PMC8744599 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Unrealistic optimism, the underestimation of one's risk of experiencing harm, has been investigated extensively to understand better and predict behavioural responses to health threats. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a relative dearth of research existed in this domain regarding epidemics, which is surprising considering that this optimistic bias has been associated with a lack of engagement in protective behaviours critical in fighting twenty-first-century, emergent, infectious diseases. The current study addresses this gap in the literature by investigating whether people demonstrated optimism bias during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, how this changed over time, and whether unrealistic optimism was negatively associated with protective measures. Taking advantage of a pre-existing international participative influenza surveillance network (n = 12,378), absolute and comparative unrealistic optimism were measured at three epidemic stages (pre-, early, peak), and across four countries-France, Italy, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Despite differences in culture and health response, similar patterns were observed across all four countries. The prevalence of unrealistic optimism appears to be influenced by the particular epidemic context. Paradoxically, whereas absolute unrealistic optimism decreased over time, comparative unrealistic optimism increased, suggesting that whilst people became increasingly accurate in assessing their personal risk, they nonetheless overestimated that for others. Comparative unrealistic optimism was negatively associated with the adoption of protective behaviours, which is worrying, given that these preventive measures are critical in tackling the spread and health burden of COVID-19. It is hoped these findings will inspire further research into sociocognitive mechanisms involved in risk appraisal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen McColl
- Unite des Virus Emergents, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement 190, Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) 1207, Health, Aix-Marseille University, 13009 Marseille, France;
- École des Hautes Études en Santé Publique (EHESP) French School of Public Health, 35043 Rennes, France
| | - Marion Debin
- Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Institut Pierre Louis d’Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Sorbonne Université, F-75012 Paris, France; (M.D.); (C.S.); (C.G.); (C.T.); (T.B.); (V.C.)
| | - Cecile Souty
- Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Institut Pierre Louis d’Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Sorbonne Université, F-75012 Paris, France; (M.D.); (C.S.); (C.G.); (C.T.); (T.B.); (V.C.)
| | - Caroline Guerrisi
- Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Institut Pierre Louis d’Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Sorbonne Université, F-75012 Paris, France; (M.D.); (C.S.); (C.G.); (C.T.); (T.B.); (V.C.)
| | - Clement Turbelin
- Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Institut Pierre Louis d’Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Sorbonne Université, F-75012 Paris, France; (M.D.); (C.S.); (C.G.); (C.T.); (T.B.); (V.C.)
| | - Alessandra Falchi
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Unité de Recherche 7310, Université de Corse, 20250 Corte, France;
| | | | - Daniela Paolotti
- Istituto per l’Interscambio Scientifico, ISI Foundation, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | | | - Jim Duggan
- School of Computer Science, National University of Ireland, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland;
| | - Yamir Moreno
- Institute for Biocomputation and Physics and Complex Systems, University of Zaragoza, 50001 Zaragoza, Spain;
| | - Ania Wisniak
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland; (A.W.); (A.F.)
| | - Antoine Flahault
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland; (A.W.); (A.F.)
| | - Thierry Blanchon
- Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Institut Pierre Louis d’Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Sorbonne Université, F-75012 Paris, France; (M.D.); (C.S.); (C.G.); (C.T.); (T.B.); (V.C.)
| | - Vittoria Colizza
- Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Institut Pierre Louis d’Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Sorbonne Université, F-75012 Paris, France; (M.D.); (C.S.); (C.G.); (C.T.); (T.B.); (V.C.)
| | - Jocelyn Raude
- Unite des Virus Emergents, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement 190, Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) 1207, Health, Aix-Marseille University, 13009 Marseille, France;
- École des Hautes Études en Santé Publique (EHESP) French School of Public Health, 35043 Rennes, France
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13
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Eshel Y, Kimhi S, Marciano H, Adini B. Components of Unrealistic Optimism of College Students: The Case of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Psychol 2021; 12:763581. [PMID: 34966325 PMCID: PMC8711557 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.763581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
College students are among the most strongly affected populations by the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic because of uncertainty regarding academic success, future careers, and social life during their study period. Their mental health and behavior may dramatically be impacted. The study examined an unrealistic optimism of Israeli college students in assessing the health, security, and economic risks during the pandemic, and the contributions of these perceived risks to the prediction of psychological coping responses, such as well-being, and coping suppressing response of anxiety, expressed during this pandemic. Using social networks, a questionnaire was disseminated to students during the third lockdown that was implemented in Israel because of the pandemic. Depressive and anxiety symptoms, perceived threats, resilience, well-being, hope, and morale were measured using a structured quantitative questionnaire. First, we hypothesized that the three perceived risks would be inversely rated, so perceived health risk would be rated lowest, and perceived economic risk would be rated highest. The second and third hypotheses claimed that psychological coping responses articulated along this pandemic would be predicted by all these perceived risks, as well as the observance of pandemic precaution rules. The fourth hypothesis suggested that the three investigated perceived risks will positively and significantly correlate with each other. The results generally supported the hypotheses and indicated that the unrealistic optimism process was employed quite consistently by the participating students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohanan Eshel
- Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Stress and Resilience Research Center, Tel-Hai College, Tel-Hai, Israel
| | - Shaul Kimhi
- Stress and Resilience Research Center, Tel-Hai College, Tel-Hai, Israel
| | - Hadas Marciano
- Stress and Resilience Research Center, Tel-Hai College, Tel-Hai, Israel
- The Institute of Information Processing and Decision Making (IIPDM), The Ergonomics and Human Factors Unit, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Bruria Adini
- Department of Emergency and Disaster Management, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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14
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Bottemanne H, Frileux S, Guesdon A, Fossati P. [Belief updating and mood congruence in depressive disorder]. Encephale 2021; 48:188-195. [PMID: 34916079 DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2021.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Depressive disorder is characterized by a polymorphic symptomatology associating emotional, cognitive and behavioral disturbances. One of the most specific symptoms is negative beliefs, called congruent to mood. Despite the importance of these beliefs in the development, the maintenance, and the recurrence of depressive episodes, little is known about the processes underlying the generation of depressive beliefs. In this paper, we detail the link between belief updating mechanisms and the genesis of depressive beliefs. We show how depression alters information processing, generating cognitive immunization when processing positive information, affective updating bias related to the valence of belief and prediction error, and difficultie to disengage from negative information. We suggest that disruption of belief-updating mechanisms forms the basis of belief-mood congruence in depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Bottemanne
- Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau (ICM), UMR 7225/UMRS 1127, CNRS / INSERM, Sorbonne university, Paris, France; Sorbonne University, Department of Philosophy, SND Research Unit, UMR 8011, CNRS, Paris, France; Department of psychiatry, Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital, DMU Neuroscience, Sorbonne university, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France.
| | - S Frileux
- Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau (ICM), UMR 7225/UMRS 1127, CNRS / INSERM, Sorbonne university, Paris, France; Department of psychiatry, Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital, DMU Neuroscience, Sorbonne university, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
| | - A Guesdon
- Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau (ICM), UMR 7225/UMRS 1127, CNRS / INSERM, Sorbonne university, Paris, France; Department of psychiatry, Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital, DMU Neuroscience, Sorbonne university, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
| | - P Fossati
- Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau (ICM), UMR 7225/UMRS 1127, CNRS / INSERM, Sorbonne university, Paris, France; Department of psychiatry, Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital, DMU Neuroscience, Sorbonne university, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
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15
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Richter D, Zuercher S. The Epidemic Failure Cycle hypothesis: Towards understanding the global community's recent failures in responding to an epidemic. J Infect Public Health 2021; 14:1614-1619. [PMID: 34624716 PMCID: PMC8423663 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Within a few years, the global community has failed twice in responding to large viral infection outbreaks: the Ebola epidemic in 2014 and the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic in 2020. There is, however, no systematic approach or research available that analyses the repeated failures with regard to an adequate response to an epidemic. METHODS For a better understanding of failing societal responses, we have analysed the available research literature on societal responses to epidemics and we propose a framework called the 'Epidemic Failure Cycle' (EFC). RESULTS The EFC consists of four phases: Negligence, Arrogance/Denial, Panic and Analysis/Self-criticism. These phases fit largely with the current World Health Organization pandemic influenza phases: Interpandemic, Alert, Pandemic, Transition. By utilizing the Ebola epidemic and the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic as case studies, we show striking similarities in the response to these outbreaks during both crises. Finally, we suggest three major areas to be of utmost importance for triggering and maintaining the EFC. In terms of ecology, zoonoses, supposed to be the main biological origin for virus epidemics, have been largely neglected by politicians, the media and the scientific community. Socioeconomic and cultural conditions such as harsh living and working conditions as well as conspiracy theories hinder effective preventive and counter measures against epidemics. Lastly, in terms of epistemology, the reliance on knowledge about previous outbreaks has led to slow and inadequate decisions. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that any current society has to be aware of the risks of repeating responses to epidemics that will fail. Being aware of the societal mechanisms that trigger inadequate responses may help to get to more appropriate decisions in the face of an epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Richter
- Bern University of Applied Sciences, Department of Health Professions, Bern University Hospital for Mental Health, Centre for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, University of Bern, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Switzerland.
| | - Simeon Zuercher
- Bern University Hospital for Mental Health, Centre for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, University of Bern, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Switzerland
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16
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An active inference account of protective behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic. COGNITIVE AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2021; 21:1117-1129. [PMID: 34652601 PMCID: PMC8518276 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-021-00947-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Newly emerging infectious diseases, such as the coronavirus (COVID-19), create new challenges for public healthcare systems. Before effective treatments, countering the spread of these infections depends on mitigating, protective behaviours such as social distancing, respecting lockdown, wearing masks, frequent handwashing, travel restrictions, and vaccine acceptance. Previous work has shown that the enacting protective behaviours depends on beliefs about individual vulnerability, threat severity, and one’s ability to engage in such protective actions. However, little is known about the genesis of these beliefs in response to an infectious disease epidemic, and the cognitive mechanisms that may link these beliefs to decision making. Active inference (AI) is a recent approach to behavioural modelling that integrates embodied perception, action, belief updating, and decision making. This approach provides a framework to understand the behaviour of agents in situations that require planning under uncertainty. It assumes that the brain infers the hidden states that cause sensations, predicts the perceptual feedback produced by adaptive actions, and chooses actions that minimize expected surprise in the future. In this paper, we present a computational account describing how individuals update their beliefs about the risks and thereby commit to protective behaviours. We show how perceived risks, beliefs about future states, sensory uncertainty, and outcomes under each policy can determine individual protective behaviours. We suggest that these mechanisms are crucial to assess how individuals cope with uncertainty during a pandemic, and we show the interest of these new perspectives for public health policies.
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17
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Bottemanne H, Delaigue F, Lemogne C. SARS-CoV-2 Psychiatric Sequelae: An Urgent Need of Prevention. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:738696. [PMID: 34566731 PMCID: PMC8458863 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.738696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for COVID-19 pandemic, caused catastrophic health and social effects, but little is known about its consequences on mental health. Other viral infections have been associated with psychiatric sequelae: infection-triggered disturbing of the immune system and the stressful intensive unit care can cause psychological and psychiatric complications. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 can potentially induce neuronal injuries, leading to neurocognitive disabilities. Previous studies during the COVID-19 pandemic reported a high occurrence rate of psychopathological and neurocognitive conditions among COVID-19 survivors, highlighting the need for screening for these impairments in order to implement early interventions and secondary prevention. However, many psychiatric disorders can take several years to develop, and it is still difficult to differentiate between factors linked to the infection itself or to the global context of the pandemic. In this review, we describe the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on mental health, the mechanisms involved in psychiatric and neurocognitive sequelae, and the strategies of prevention and management. More studies are needed to investigate the effects of a range of factors including clinical, sociodemographic, and inflammatory predictors. These efforts could be useful to identify high-risk individuals and inform targeted preventive actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Bottemanne
- Paris Brain Institute—Institut du Cerveau (ICM), UMR 7225/UMR_S 1127, Sorbonne University/CNRS/INSERM, Paris, France
- Sorbonne University, Department of Philosophy, SND Research Unit, UMR 8011, Paris, France
- Sorbonne University, Department of Psychiatry, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
| | - Fanny Delaigue
- Sorbonne University, Department of Psychiatry, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
| | - Cédric Lemogne
- Université de Paris, AP-HP, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, DMU Psychiatrie et Addictologie, Service de Psychiatrie de l'adulte, INSERM, Institut de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences de Paris (IPNP), UMR_S1266, Paris, France
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18
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"It Won't Happen to Us": Unrealistic Optimism Affects COVID-19 Risk Assessments and Attitudes Regarding Protective Behaviour. JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN MEMORY AND COGNITION 2021; 10:368-380. [PMID: 34307004 PMCID: PMC8292110 DOI: 10.1016/j.jarmac.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
People generally believe that their own future will be better than the one of comparable others. Robust evidence documents such unrealistic optimism in many domains of life. Here, we examine how unrealistic optimism may affect people's risk assessments of COVID-19 infection as well as their attitudes regarding behaviours intended to protect against contagion. In two studies conducted in the USA (N = 160) and UK (N = 161), at different times during the pandemic, we show that participants considered the likelihood of contracting and carrying the infection lower for themselves and their close other compared to an acquaintance, while they considered the likelihood of engaging in protective behaviours higher for themselves and their close other than an acquaintance. The findings document unrealistic optimism in relation to COVID-19. Such biases are particularly critical in relation to infectious diseases, where underestimating the risk for both oneself and close others may reduce precautions and increase virus spreading.
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19
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Santé mentale périnatale en période de pandémie COVID-19 :protéger, dépister, accompagner. LA PRESSE MÉDICALE FORMATION 2021. [PMCID: PMC8223027 DOI: 10.1016/j.lpmfor.2021.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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20
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González-Castro JL, Ubillos-Landa S, Puente-Martínez A, Gracia-Leiva M. Perceived Vulnerability and Severity Predict Adherence to COVID-19 Protection Measures: The Mediating Role of Instrumental Coping. Front Psychol 2021; 12:674032. [PMID: 34295285 PMCID: PMC8289891 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.674032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 disease has caused thousands of deaths worldwide and required the rapid and drastic adoption of various protective measures as main resources in the fight to reduce the spread of the disease. In the present study we aimed to identify socio cognitive factors that may influence adherence to protective measures toward COVID-19 in a Spanish sample. This longitudinal study analyzes the predictive value of perceived severity and vulnerability of infection, self-efficacy, direct exposure to the virus, and instrumental focused coping style for adhering to infection protection behaviors during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also tests sex and age differences in these factors and changes over time. A two-wave longitudinal study (N = 757) was conducted in March and April 2020 starting the day after a strict national lockdown was decreed in Spain. A path analysis was used to test direct and indirect effects between vulnerability and the adherence to protective behaviors. Results suggest that individuals' perceived severity and vulnerability to COVID-19 and instrumental coping strategies are related to the use of more protective behaviors. This coping strategy mediates the effect of perceived vulnerability on engaging in protective behaviors, and this effect depends on direct exposure to COVID-19 and perceived self-efficacy moderators. Results suggest that recognizing one's own abilities to engage in instrumental actions may facilitate adherence to protective measures in people who had not been directly exposed to COVID-19. Therefore, adopting instrumental coping strategies to manage an individual's perceived vulnerability to infection may positively impact the adherence to protective behaviors, especially during the onset of an unexpected threat and when there is no prior direct experience with the situation.
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21
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Iddins BO, Waugh MH, Buck B, Cato T, Graham DE, Attia K, Jones D, Partin A, Shourbaji R, Wesh C. Benchmarking SARS CoV-2 Infection in the Workplace to Support Continuity of Operations. J Occup Environ Med 2021; 63:548-556. [PMID: 33741830 PMCID: PMC8247538 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The COVID-19 pandemic jeopardizes continuity of operations of workplaces and the health and safety of workers. Exemplar workplace-related SARS-CoV-2 benchmarks are described and illustrated with empirical data. METHODS Benchmarks were collected over a 9-month period on a large workplace (N = 5500+). These ranged from quantitative indices associated with RT-qPCR targeted testing and random surveillance screening, surveillance for new variants of SARS-CoV-2, intensive contact tracing, case management, return to work procedures, to monitoring of antibody seropositive status. RESULTS Data and analyses substantiated effectiveness of interventions. This was evidenced in suppressed infection rates, rapid case identification and isolation, acceptance of the program by employees, documentation of presumptive immunity, and working relationships with senior management. CONCLUSIONS These SARS-CoV-2 exemplar benchmarks provided an evidence-base for practice and contributed strategically to organizational decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart O Iddins
- Health Services Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee (Dr Iddins, Dr Waugh, Mr Buck, Ms Cato, Mr Attia, Mr Jones, Mr Partin, Ms Shourbaji, and Mr Wesh); University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee (Dr Waugh); Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee (Dr Graham)
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22
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Teo CL, Chee ML, Koh KH, Tseng RMWW, Majithia S, Thakur S, Gunasekeran DV, Nusinovici S, Sabanayagam C, Wong TY, Tham YC, Cheng CY. COVID-19 awareness, knowledge and perception towards digital health in an urban multi-ethnic Asian population. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10795. [PMID: 34031469 PMCID: PMC8144201 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90098-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to determine COVID-19-related awareness, knowledge, impact and preparedness among elderly Asians; and to evaluate their acceptance towards digital health services amidst the pandemic. 523 participants (177 Malays, 171 Indians, 175 Chinese) were recruited and underwent standardised phone interview during Singapore’s lockdown period (07 April till 01 June 2020). Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to evaluate the associations between demographic, socio-economic, lifestyle, and systemic factors, with COVID-19 awareness, knowledge, preparedness, well-being and digital health service acceptance. The average perception score on the seriousness of COVID-19 was 7.6 ± 2.4 (out of 10). 75.5% of participants were aware that COVID-19 carriers can be asymptomatic. Nearly all (≥ 90%) were aware of major prevention methods for COVID-19 (i.e. wearing of mask, social distancing). 66.2% felt prepared for the pandemic, and 86.8% felt confident with government’s handling and measures. 78.4% felt their daily routine was impacted. 98.1% reported no prior experience in using digital health services, but 52.2% felt these services would be helpful to reduce non-essential contact. 77.8% were uncomfortable with artificial intelligence software interpreting their medical results. In multivariable analyses, Chinese participants felt less prepared, and more likely felt impacted by COVID-19. Older and lower income participants were less likely to use digital health services. In conclusion, we observed a high level of awareness and knowledge on COVID-19. However, acceptance towards digital health service was low. These findings are valuable for examining the effectiveness of COVID-19 communication in Singapore, and the remaining gaps in digital health adoption among elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Ling Teo
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower Level 6, Singapore, 169856, Singapore
| | - Miao Li Chee
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower Level 6, Singapore, 169856, Singapore
| | - Kai Hui Koh
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower Level 6, Singapore, 169856, Singapore
| | - Rachel Marjorie Wei Wen Tseng
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower Level 6, Singapore, 169856, Singapore
| | - Shivani Majithia
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower Level 6, Singapore, 169856, Singapore
| | - Sahil Thakur
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower Level 6, Singapore, 169856, Singapore
| | - Dinesh Visva Gunasekeran
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Simon Nusinovici
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower Level 6, Singapore, 169856, Singapore
| | - Charumathi Sabanayagam
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower Level 6, Singapore, 169856, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tien Yin Wong
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower Level 6, Singapore, 169856, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yih-Chung Tham
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower Level 6, Singapore, 169856, Singapore. .,Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Ching-Yu Cheng
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower Level 6, Singapore, 169856, Singapore. .,Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore. .,Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.
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23
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Byrne KA, Six SG, Anaraky RG, Harris MW, Winterlind EL. Risk-taking unmasked: Using risky choice and temporal discounting to explain COVID-19 preventative behaviors. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251073. [PMID: 33983970 PMCID: PMC8118306 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
To reduce the spread of COVID-19 transmission, government agencies in the United States (US) recommended precautionary guidelines, including wearing masks and social distancing to encourage the prevention of the disease. However, compliance with these guidelines has been inconsistent. This correlational study examined whether individual differences in risky decision-making and motivational propensities predicted compliance with COVID-19 preventative behaviors in a sample of US adults (N = 404). Participants completed an online study from September through December 2020 that included a risky choice decision-making task, temporal discounting task, and measures of appropriate mask-wearing, social distancing, and perceived risk of engaging in public activities. Linear regression results indicated that greater temporal discounting and risky decision-making were associated with less appropriate mask-wearing behavior and social distancing. Additionally, demographic factors, including personal experience with COVID-19 and financial difficulties due to COVID-19, were also associated with differences in COVID-19 preventative behaviors. Path analysis results showed that risky decision-making behavior, temporal discounting, and risk perception collectively predicted 55% of the variance in appropriate mask-wearing behavior. Individual differences in general decision-making patterns are therefore highly predictive of who complies with COVID-19 prevention guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaileigh A. Byrne
- Department of Psychology, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Stephanie G. Six
- Department of Psychology, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Reza Ghaiumy Anaraky
- Department of Human-Centered Computing, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Maggie W. Harris
- Department of Psychology, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Emma L. Winterlind
- Department of Psychology, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, United States of America
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24
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Lin H, Chang Y, Chen C, Ho YW, Xi W, Zhang X, Fung HH, Ayalon L. Are older adults more optimistic? Evidence from China, Israel and the US. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2021; 77:e83-e94. [PMID: 33718956 PMCID: PMC7989198 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbab046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Optimistic bias refers to the phenomenon that individuals believe bad things are less likely to happen to themselves than to others. However, whether optimistic bias could vary across age and culture is unknown. The present study aims to investigate: 1) whether individuals exhibit optimistic bias in the context of COVID-19 pandemic; 2) and whether age and culture would moderate such bias. Method 1051 participants recruited from China, Israel and the US took the online survey. Risk perceptions consists of three questions: estimating the infected probability of different social distance groups (i.e., self, close others, and non-close others), the days that it would take for the number of new infections to decrease to zero and the trend of infections in regions of different geographical distances (i.e., local place, other places inside participants’ country and other countries). Participants in China and the US also reported their personal communal values measured by Schwartz’s Value Survey. Results Results from HLM generally confirmed that 1) all participants exhibited optimistic bias to some extent, and 2) with age, Chinese participants had a higher level of optimistic bias than Israeli and US participants. Compared to their younger counterparts, older Chinese are more likely to believe that local communities are at lower risk of COVID-19 than other countries. Discussion These findings support the hypothesis that age differences in risk perceptions might be influenced by cultural context. Further analysis indicated that such cultural and age variations in optimistic bias were likely to be driven by age-related increase in internalized cultural values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Lin
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanqing Chang
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Chen
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuen Wan Ho
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, MA, US
| | - Wanyu Xi
- Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Xin Zhang
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Helene H Fung
- Department of Psychology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Liat Ayalon
- Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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Yang Z. Analysis of dynamic contact network of patients with COVID-19 in Shaanxi Province of China. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4889. [PMID: 33649407 PMCID: PMC7921424 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84428-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The spread of COVID-19 is closely related to the structure of human social networks. Based on 237 cases, by using epidemiological retrospective statistics, data visualization, and social network analysis methods, this paper summarized characteristics of patients with COVID-19 in Shaanxi, China, and analyzed these patients' dynamic contact network structure. The study found that there are many clustered infections through strong ties, about one-third of cases are caused by relatives' infection. In early stages of the epidemic, imported cases were the most, and in the later stages, local infection cases were the most. The infected people were mostly middle-aged men. Symptoms of imported cases occurred on average of 3 days after they arrived, and medical measures were taken 5 days later on average. All cases showed symptoms in less than 2 days on average and were then taken to medical treatment. The contact network can be divided into multiple disconnected components. The largest component has 12 patients. The average degree centrality in the network is 0.987, average betweenness degree is 0, average closeness degree is 0.452, and average PageRank index is 0.0042. The number of contacts of patients is unevenly distributed in the network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangbo Yang
- School of Humanities and Social Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xianning West Road, Mailbox 200, Xi'an, 710049, China.
- Institute for Empirical Social Science Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
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