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Psychological Factors Affecting Risk Perception of COVID-19: Evidence from Peru and China

Author

Listed:
  • Fredy S. Monge-Rodríguez

    (Department of Psychology, Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco, Cusco 08002, Peru)

  • He Jiang

    (Department of Social Psychology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China)

  • Liwei Zhang

    (School of Public Administration, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China)

  • Andy Alvarado-Yepez

    (Instituto de Investigación Ambiente Comportamiento y Sociedad, Cusco 08002, Peru)

  • Anahí Cardona-Rivero

    (Department of Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco, Cusco 08002, Peru)

  • Enma Huaman-Chulluncuy

    (Instituto de Investigación Ambiente Comportamiento y Sociedad, Cusco 08002, Peru)

  • Analy Torres-Mejía

    (Instituto de Investigación Ambiente Comportamiento y Sociedad, Cusco 08002, Peru)

Abstract

COVID-19 has spread around the world, causing a global pandemic, and to date is impacting in various ways in both developed and developing countries. We know that the spread of this virus is through people’s behavior despite the perceived risks. Risk perception plays an important role in decision-making to prevent infection. Using data from the online survey of participants in Peru and China ( N = 1594), data were collected between 8 July 31 and August 2020. We found that levels of risk perception are relatively moderate, but higher in Peru compared to China. In both countries, anxiety, threat perception, self-confidence, and sex were found to be significant predictors of risk perception; however, trust in the information received by government and experts was significant only in Peru, whereas self-confidence had a significant negative effect only for China. Risk communication should be implemented through information programs aimed at reducing anxiety and improving self-confidence, taking into consideration gender differences. In addition, the information generated by the government should be based on empirical sources. Finally, the implications for effective risk communication and its impacts on the health field are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Fredy S. Monge-Rodríguez & He Jiang & Liwei Zhang & Andy Alvarado-Yepez & Anahí Cardona-Rivero & Enma Huaman-Chulluncuy & Analy Torres-Mejía, 2021. "Psychological Factors Affecting Risk Perception of COVID-19: Evidence from Peru and China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:12:p:6513-:d:576362
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    References listed on IDEAS

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