Evaluation of Distress and Risk Perception Associated with COVID-19 in Vulnerable Groups

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Preventive behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic are crucial.
• Risk perception influences adherence to preventive measures.
• Lockdowns can negatively impact mental health, causing distress, which may alter risk perception.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of distress on risk perception concerning vulnerable groups during the initial COVID-19 lockdown in Spain.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 806 participants during the first week of the Spanish lockdown.
• Utilized the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18) to assess distress.
• Administered a risk perception questionnaire focused on vulnerable populations.

Main Results:

• Distress was reported by 9.6% of participants, with a higher prevalence in women (85.7%).
• Experiencing distress was found to significantly influence risk perception regarding vulnerable groups.
• A clear association was established between psychological distress and heightened risk perception.

Conclusions:

• Psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic affects how individuals perceive risks to vulnerable groups.
• This finding highlights the importance of addressing mental health to ensure effective public health messaging.
• Accurate information dissemination is vital to mitigate cognitive biases influencing risk perception and encourage protective actions.