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Coping with Coronavirus Pandemic: Risk Perception Predicts Life Optimism
1Department of Psychology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 China.
Journal of Happiness Studies
|November 21, 2022
Summary
Maintaining optimism during a pandemic is possible by understanding how risk perception influences perceived control and negative affect. These factors significantly impact life outlook and subjective well-being during collective health crises.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- The coronavirus pandemic presents a global challenge to maintaining optimism.
- Understanding psychological factors influencing optimism during pandemics is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of perceived control and negative affect in maintaining optimism during a pandemic.
- To examine the indirect effects of risk perception on optimism and subjective well-being.
Main Methods:
- Four studies were conducted using cross-sectional and experimental designs.
- Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze indirect effects.
- Perceived risk, perceived control, negative affect, optimism, and subjective well-being were measured.
Main Results:
- Risk perception indirectly affects optimism through perceived control and negative affect.
- Higher perceived risk of the pandemic was associated with decreased optimism.
- The influence of risk perception on optimism extends to overall subjective well-being.
Conclusions:
- Perceived control and negative affect are key mediators in the relationship between risk perception and optimism during pandemics.
- Publicity and transparency regarding recovery rates can help reduce risk perception and foster optimism.
- Interventions targeting perceived control and negative affect may enhance psychological resilience during health crises.
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