An application of the extended parallel process model to protective behaviors against COVID-19 in South Korea.

This study applied the extended parallel process model (EPPM) to investigate the factors affecting people's preventive behaviors against COVID-19, and thereby, draw relevant policy implications for current and future other epidemics. The EPPM was used to examine the danger control and fear control responses, along with the separate effects of their sub-factors (perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, response efficacy, and self-efficacy) on personal hygiene behaviors, social distancing measures, and fatalism. In total, data from an online survey of 813 adults were analyzed. The results of multiple regression analysis showed a strong effect of self-efficacy on danger control (ß = 0.23 for personal hygiene behaviors, ß = 0.26 for social distancing) and fear control responses (ß = -0.13 for fatalism). However, based on the type of control response, the effect of perceived susceptibility and perceived severity, which were the main factors in threat appraisal, was insignificant or marginally significant. Further, a higher perceived severity was associated with higher fatalism in the fear control response (ß = 0.09). Those who were currently employed performed fewer social distancing measures compared to those who did not (ß = -0.11), whereas there was no difference in personal hygiene behaviors. These results suggest that risk communication in emerging infectious disease crises should provide customized information on people who are hard to comply with social distancing. Besides delivering the message of self-efficacy, policies should be implemented to create a social environment in which individuals can practice social distancing without constraints.

Peritraumatic Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Seoul, South Korea.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is traumatic and causes a substantial psychological burden on the general public. The aim of the present study is to examine the severity and prevalence of peritraumatic distress among the citizens of Seoul, which conducted preemptive and aggressive social distancing policy before the central government during the early stage of COVID-19. Furthermore, this study aims to explore the associated risk factors for peritraumatic distress, including risk perception, fear, and COVID-19-related experiences. We conducted an online survey to 813 participants at the end of the first wave of COVID-19 in South Korea. Peritraumatic distress inventory (PDI) was used to measure the level of pandemic-related distress. One-third of participants were at risk for the development of clinically elevated peritraumatic distress. The perception of risk, fear of COVID-19, and stigma were significantly associated with elevated levels of distress. Individuals who had poor health, or who spent more than 1 h per day using the media, also expressed a higher level of distress. Moreover, the level of disruption of daily life and financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic is significantly associated with a higher level of peritraumatic distress. The results of this study highlight the urgent need to develop evidence-based and tailored public mental health interventions, along with various measures to help recovery to daily life.