ICPS

2021 APS Virtual Convention · 2021

Distress and Distrust: How Perceptions of News Accuracy and Emotional Distress Influence Compliance with COVID-19 Health Behaviors

Virtual · May 2021

Posters · Personality/Emotion Psychology

  • Isabella Napoletano
    Rutgers University - New Brunswick
  • Joshua Garcia
    Rutgers University - New Brunswick
  • Hannah Brinkman
    Rutgers University - New Brunswick
  • Danielle Hoyt
    Rutgers University - New Brunswick
  • Samantha Farris
    Rutgers University - New Brunswick
  • Teresa Leyro
    Rutgers University - New Brunswick

Abstract

We examined how the relationship between perceptions of news accuracy and COVID-health behaviors varied as a function of emotional distress. Results showed people reporting low to moderate anxiety who perceived the news as an overreaction were less likely to engage in protective COVID-health behaviors compared to people reporting high anxiety.

Epidemics and Public Health