The objective of the current research was to investigate how a series of psychological factors may underlie two COVID-19 health behaviors, and how a contextual factor (country of residence) could shape their influence. Cross-sectional results from the first pandemic wave (NBelgium = 4878, NFrance = 1071) showed that handwashing and social contacts limitation are predicted by a unique set of psychological variables that holds across Belgium and France, despite their distinct lockdown-policies strictness. In practice, policy-makers could leverage on these unique predictors and fine-tune their strategies accordingly to promote adherence to each measure while generalizing it across similar nations.
AjzenI (1991) The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes50(2): 179–211.
2.
BigotABanseECordonnierA, et al. (2021) Sociodemographic, cognitive, and emotional determinants of two health behaviors during SARS-CoV-2 outbreak: An online study among French-speaking Belgian responders during the Spring Lockdown. Psychologica Belgica61(1): 63–78.
3.
BishAMichieS (2010) Demographic and attitudinal determinants of protective behaviours during a pandemic: A review. British Journal of Health Psychology15(Pt 4): 797–824.
DavisMH (1983) Measuring individual differences in empathy: Evidence for a multidimensional approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology44(1): 113–126.
6.
FischerRKarlJA (2022) Predicting behavioral intentions to prevent or mitigate COVID-19: A cross-cultural meta-analysis of attitudes, norms, and perceived behavioral control effects. Social Psychological and Personality Science13: 264–276.
7.
GaudreauPSanchezXBlondinJP (2006) Positive and negative affective states in a performance-related setting. European Journal of Psychological Assessment22(4): 240–249.
8.
GelfandMJJacksonJCPanX, et al. (2021) The relationship between cultural tightness-looseness and COVID-19 cases and deaths: A global analysis. The Lancet Planetary Health5(3): e135–e144.
9.
HaggerMSSmithSRKeechJJ, et al. (2020) Predicting social distancing intention and behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic: An integrated social cognition model. Annals of Behavioral Medicine54(10): 713–727.
10.
HaleTAngristNGoldszmidtR, et al. (2021) A global panel database of pandemic policies (Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker). Nature Human Behaviour5(4): 529–538.
11.
HughesMEWaiteLJHawkleyLC, et al. (2004) A short scale for measuring loneliness in large surveys: Results from two population-based studies. Research on Aging26(6): 655–672.
12.
PilowskyI (1967) Dimensions of hypochondriasis. The British Journal of Psychiatry113(494): 89–93.
13.
RajkumarRP (2020) COVID-19 and mental health: A review of the existing literature. Asian Journal of Psychiatry52: 102066.
14.
SchimmentiABillieuxJStarcevicV (2020) The four horsemen of fear: An integrated model of understanding fear experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical Neuropsychiatry17(2): 41–45.
15.
SchmitzMLuminetOKleinO, et al. (2022) Predicting vaccine uptake during COVID-19 crisis: A motivational approach. Vaccine40(2): 288–297.
16.
Van BavelJJBaickerKBoggioPS, et al. (2020) Using social and behavioural science to support COVID-19 pandemic response. Nature Human Behaviour4(5): 460–471.
17.
Van der LindenMD’AcremontMZermattenA, et al. (2006) A French adaptation of the UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale. European Journal of Psychological Assessment22(1): 38–42.
18.
VlemincxEWalentynowiczMVan OudenhoveL, et al. (2020) A novel measure of self-reported interoception: The three-domain interoceptive sensations questionnaire (THISQ). Psychology and Health, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2021.2009479.
19.
WhitesideSPLynamDRMillerJD, et al. (2005) Validation of the UPPS impulsive behaviour scale: A four-factor model of impulsivity. European Journal of Personality19: 559–574.
20.
WitteKAllenM (2000) A meta-analysis of fear appeals: Implications for effective public health campaigns. Health Education & Behavior27(5): 591–615.
21.
WollastRSchmitzMBigotA, et al. (2021) The theory of planned behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic: A comparison of health behaviors between Belgian and French residents. PLoS One16(11): e0258320.
22.
WollastRSchmitzMBigotA, et al. (2022) The dynamics of health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal analysis of handwashing, mask wearing, social contacts limitation, and physical distancing, and their mental health consequences. [Manuscript submitted for publication].
