Title |
Self-reported interoception, worries and protective behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal study
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Published in |
Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica, August 2023
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DOI | 10.1186/s41155-023-00267-x |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Luca Vig, Eszter Ferentzi, Ferenc Köteles |
Abstract |
Protective behaviors were essential for minimizing the spread of the virus during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It is often assumed that awareness of bodily sensations (interoception) can improve decision-making and facilitate adaptive behavior. This paper investigates cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between different aspects of self-reported interoception, trait anxiety, COVID-related worry, and health protective behaviors. The study was conducted on a community sample of 265 adults. The two data collection phases took place online, before (baseline) and during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary. Contrary to our expectations, neither cross-sectional nor longitudinal associations were found between protective behaviors and indicators of self-reported interoception. However, worry at baseline predicted protective behaviors during the second wave, even after controlling for socio-economical characteristics and protective behaviors at baseline. Our results highlight the adaptivity of health-related worry when behavioral steps to avoid threats are known and available. Also, higher level of perceived interoception did not appear to be health protective under these circumstances. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
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United Kingdom | 1 | 50% |
Unknown | 1 | 50% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 1 | 50% |
Members of the public | 1 | 50% |