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Masquerade of Polish Society—Psychological Determinants of COVID-19 Precautionary Behaviors

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  • Natalia Maja Józefacka

    (Institute of Psychology, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Krakow, Poland)

  • Robert Podstawski

    (Department of Tourism, Recreation and Ecology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-957 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Małgorzata Barbara Płoszaj

    (Institute of Psychology, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Krakow, Poland)

  • Elżbieta Szpakiewicz

    (Institute of Psychology, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Krakow, Poland)

  • Mateusz Franciszek Kołek

    (Diplomstudium Humanmedizin, Medizinische Universität Wien, Spitalgasse 23, 1090 Wien, Austria)

  • Andrzej Pomianowski

    (Department of Internal Diseases with Clinic, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Gabriela Kania

    (Students Scientific Club ControlUP, Institute of Psychology, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Krakow, Poland)

  • Anna Niedźwiecka

    (Students Scientific Club ControlUP, Institute of Psychology, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Krakow, Poland)

  • Dominika Łabno

    (Students Scientific Club ControlUP, Institute of Psychology, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Krakow, Poland)

  • Aleksander Michalec

    (Students Scientific Club ControlUP, Institute of Psychology, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Krakow, Poland)

  • Weronika Paw

    (Students Scientific Club ControlUP, Institute of Psychology, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Krakow, Poland)

Abstract

The risk of contracting COVID-19 was a very specific situation of uncertainty and ambi-guity, and of course, cognitively interesting for psychologists studying the determinants of behaviors of different personality types. In this study, we set our sights on trying to find a correlation between adherence to wearing masks and receiving vaccinations and having certain character traits that we thought might influence preventive behavior or not. We focused on the Dark Triad—psychopathy, Machiavellianism and narcissism—as well as social approval and the need for cognition closure, as these traits have previously been linked to heightened conspiracy mentalities. We recruited 159 subjects in the experiment, including 53 male and 106 female participants over the age of 18 to take part in an online survey investigating personality and COVID-19 information. The results confirmed our hypothesis that age, empathy, the need for social approval and other psychological traits are the factors that differentiates people who wear face masks from those who do not. However, it seems impossible to define one set of features that would predispose people to not wear face masks. In our study, the importance of psychological features differed depending on the category of public places. We discuss possible implications of these findings and provide direction for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Natalia Maja Józefacka & Robert Podstawski & Małgorzata Barbara Płoszaj & Elżbieta Szpakiewicz & Mateusz Franciszek Kołek & Andrzej Pomianowski & Gabriela Kania & Anna Niedźwiecka & Dominika Łabno & A, 2022. "Masquerade of Polish Society—Psychological Determinants of COVID-19 Precautionary Behaviors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2022:i:1:p:129-:d:1011281
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mitze, Timo & Kosfeld, Reinhold & Rode, Johannes & Wälde, Klaus, 2020. "Face masks considerably reduce COVID-19 cases in Germany," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 124587, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    2. Yating Chuang & John Chung-En Liu, 2020. "Who wears a mask? Gender differences in risk behaviors in the COVID-19 early days in Taiwan," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 40(4), pages 2619-2627.
    3. Matthias Greiff & Fabian Paetzel, 2015. "Incomplete Information Strengthens The Effectiveness Of Social Approval," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 53(1), pages 557-573, January.
    4. Jennifer L. Scheid & Shannon P. Lupien & Gregory S. Ford & Sarah L. West, 2020. "Commentary: Physiological and Psychological Impact of Face Mask Usage during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-12, September.
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