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Disease avoidance in the time of COVID-19: The behavioral immune system is associated with concern and preventative health behaviors

Author

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  • Natalie J Shook
  • Barış Sevi
  • Jerin Lee
  • Benjamin Oosterhoff
  • Holly N Fitzgerald

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a serious global health threat. Without a vaccine, behavior change is the most effective means of reducing disease transmission. Identifying psychological factors that may encourage engagement in preventative health behaviors is crucial. The behavioral immune system (BIS) represents a set of psychological processes thought to promote health by encouraging disease avoidance behaviors. This study examined whether individual differences in BIS reactivity (germ aversion, pathogen disgust sensitivity) were associated with concern about COVID-19 and engagement in recommended preventative health behaviors (social distancing, handwashing, cleaning/disinfecting, avoiding touching face, wearing facemasks). From March 20 to 23, 2020, a US national sample (N = 1019) completed an online survey. Germ aversion and pathogen disgust sensitivity were the two variables most consistently associated with COVID-19 concern and preventative health behaviors, while accounting for demographic, health, and psychosocial covariates. Findings have implications for the development of interventions intended to increase preventative health behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Natalie J Shook & Barış Sevi & Jerin Lee & Benjamin Oosterhoff & Holly N Fitzgerald, 2020. "Disease avoidance in the time of COVID-19: The behavioral immune system is associated with concern and preventative health behaviors," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(8), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0238015
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238015
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Robert West & Susan Michie & G. James Rubin & Richard Amlôt, 2020. "Applying principles of behaviour change to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 4(5), pages 451-459, May.
    2. repec:abf:journl:v:31:y:2020:i:3:p:24261-24266 is not listed on IDEAS
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    Cited by:

    1. Yi Ding & Tingting Ji & Yongyu Guo, 2021. "Helping While Social Distancing: Pathogen Avoidance Motives Influence People’s Helping Intentions during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-10, November.
    2. Arul Jayendra Pradeep Velusamy & Lakshmi Sravanti, 2022. "Sociocultural responses during the evolving coronavirus pandemic in India: A critical evaluation through the lens of Behavioural Immune System," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 68(3), pages 697-698, May.
    3. Ivana Hromatko & Una Mikac & Anita Lauri Korajlija & Nataša Jokić-Begić & Tanja Jurin & Meri Tadinac, 2025. "Protective but Costly: The Impact of Behavioral Immune System Reactivity on Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(6), pages 1-16, June.
    4. Joana Berger-Estilita & Sandra Abegglen & Nadja Hornburg & Robert Greif & Alexander Fuchs, 2022. "Health-Promoting Quality of Life at Work during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A 12-Month Longitudinal Study on the Work-Related Sense of Coherence in Acute Care Healthcare Professionals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-13, May.
    5. Rachel Leonard & Sean R. O'Connor & Jennifer Hanratty & Ciara Keenan & Yuan Chi & Jenny Ferguson & Ariana Axiaq & Anna Volz & Ceri Welsh & Kerry Campbell & Victoria Hawkins & Sarah Miller & Declan Bra, 2024. "Psychological and psychosocial determinants of COVID‐related handwashing behaviours: A systematic review," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 20(3), September.
    6. Zeyu Liu & Huijun Geng & Hao Chen & Meng Zhu & Tingshao Zhu, 2020. "Exploring the Mechanisms of Influence on COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors in China’s Social Media Users," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-14, November.

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