The Impact of Positivity and Parochial Altruism on Protective Behaviours during the First COVID-19 Lockdown in Italy

Implementation of COVID-19 protective behaviours, such as social distancing or frequent hand washing during the lockdown, was critical to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the effect of positivity and parochial altruism on implementing COVID-19 h...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2022-08, Vol.19 (16), p.10153
Main Authors: Singh Solorzano, Claudio, Panasiti, Maria Serena, Di Pucchio, Alessandra, Grano, Caterina
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Altruism
Behavior
Coping
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Dictators
Disease control
Hygiene
Optimism
Pandemics
Quarantine
Questionnaires
Self esteem
Shelter in place
Social distancing
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Summary:Implementation of COVID-19 protective behaviours, such as social distancing or frequent hand washing during the lockdown, was critical to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the effect of positivity and parochial altruism on implementing COVID-19 health-protective behaviours during the Italian lockdown. A sample of 460 participants completed an online questionnaire that included demographic measures, Positivity Scale and COVID-19 measures of health-protective behaviours. To measure parochial altruism, we used a hypothetical dictator game played with others who could vary in their social distance from the participants. Results showed that participants in the hypothetical game gave more money to parents and siblings than to best friends, cousins, neighbours, and strangers. Furthermore, both positivity and parochial altruism (more altruism toward close vs. distant people) were positively associated with implementing hygiene behaviours but not with social distancing. Finally, mediation analysis showed that increases in parochial altruism mediated the effect of positivity on hygiene behaviour. These findings extend knowledge about the factors beyond the implementation of COVID-19 health-protective behaviours during a lockdown situation.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph191610153