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Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of self-control, risk aversion, and fear of infection in shaping compliance with preventive measures

Author

Listed:
  • Attanasi, Giuseppe
  • Ciucani, Carlo

    (CNR)

  • Morone, Andrea
  • Morone, Piergiuseppe
  • Tiranzoni, Paola

Abstract

This paper refers to interview data collected in six municipalities in the Lecce province of southern Italy, across three waves: 2020, 2021, and 2022. The principal aim of the research was to determine whether compliance with four government-recommended non-pharmaceutical measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 differed over the years and, if so, whether these differences were influenced by personal characteristics. Specifically, we focused on the psychological features of self-control, risk attitude, and fear of contracting COVID-19 and their relationships with indoor and outdoor mask use, and indoor and outdoor physical distancing. The results suggest that virus mortality, the regulations in force, and experience of the pandemic affected compliance with certain preventive measures across all waves. With regard to psychological features, the three factors of interest were found to determine preferences and substitutions across measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Attanasi, Giuseppe & Ciucani, Carlo & Morone, Andrea & Morone, Piergiuseppe & Tiranzoni, Paola, 2026. "Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of self-control, risk aversion, and fear of infection in shaping compliance with preventive measures," SocArXiv s5fa4_v1, Center for Open Science.
    • Handle: RePEc:osf:socarx:s5fa4_v1
    DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/s5fa4_v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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