Open AccessComparative optimism about infection and recovery from COVID‐19; Implications for adherence with lockdown advice
Author(s) -
Asimakopoulou Koula,
Hoorens Vera,
Speed Ewen,
Coulson Neil S.,
Antoniszczak Dominika,
Collyer Fran,
Deschrijver Eliane,
Dubbin Leslie,
Faulks Denise,
Forsyth Rowena,
Goltsi Vicky,
Harsløf Ivan,
Larsen Kristian,
Manaras Irene,
OlczakKowalczyk Dorota,
Willis Karen,
Xenou Tatiana,
Scambler Sasha
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
health expectations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.314
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1369-7625
pISSN - 1369-6513
DOI - 10.1111/hex.13134
Subject(s) - optimism , snowball sampling , pessimism , psychosocial , covid-19 , psychology , pandemic , computer assisted web interviewing , social distance , medicine , social psychology , clinical psychology , psychiatry , disease , philosophy , epistemology , pathology , marketing , infectious disease (medical specialty) , business
Background Comparative optimism, the belief that negative events are more likely to happen to others rather than to oneself, is well established in health risk research. It is unknown, however, whether comparative optimism also permeates people’s health expectations and potentially behaviour during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Objectives Data were collected through an international survey (N = 6485) exploring people’s thoughts and psychosocial behaviours relating to COVID‐19. This paper reports UK data on comparative optimism. In particular, we examine the belief that negative events surrounding risk and recovery from COVID‐19 are perceived as more likely to happen to others rather than to oneself. Methods Using online snowball sampling through social media, anonymous UK survey data were collected from N = 645 adults during weeks 5‐8 of the UK COVID‐19 lockdown. The sample was normally distributed in terms of age and reflected the UK ethnic and disability profile. Findings Respondents demonstrated comparative optimism where they believed that as compared to others of the same age and gender, they were unlikely to experience a range of controllable (eg accidentally infect/ be infected) and uncontrollable (eg need hospitalization/ intensive care treatment if infected) COVID‐19‐related risks in the short term ( P < .001). They were comparatively pessimistic (ie thinking they were more at risk than others for developing COVID‐19‐related infection or symptoms) when thinking about the next year. Discussion This is one of the first ever studies to report compelling comparative biases in UK adults’ thinking about COVID‐19.