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Trust in government regarding COVID-19 and its associations with preventive health behaviour and prosocial behaviour during the pandemic: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study.
Han, Qing; Zheng, Bang; Cristea, Mioara; Agostini, Maximilian; Bélanger, Jocelyn J; Gützkow, Ben; Kreienkamp, Jannis; Leander, N Pontus.
  • Han Q; School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
  • Zheng B; Ageing Epidemiology Research Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK.
  • Cristea M; Department of Psychology, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK.
  • Agostini M; Department of Psychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.
  • Bélanger JJ; Department of Psychology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
  • Gützkow B; Department of Psychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.
  • Kreienkamp J; Department of Psychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.
  • Leander NP; Department of Psychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.
Psychol Med ; : 1-11, 2021 Mar 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2241293
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The effective implementation of government policies and measures for controlling the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic requires compliance from the public. This study aimed to examine cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of trust in government regarding COVID-19 control with the adoption of recommended health behaviours and prosocial behaviours, and potential determinants of trust in government during the pandemic.

METHODS:

This study analysed data from the PsyCorona Survey, an international project on COVID-19 that included 23 733 participants from 23 countries (representative in age and gender distributions by country) at baseline survey and 7785 participants who also completed follow-up surveys. Specification curve analysis was used to examine concurrent associations between trust in government and self-reported behaviours. We further used structural equation model to explore potential determinants of trust in government. Multilevel linear regressions were used to examine associations between baseline trust and longitudinal behavioural changes.

RESULTS:

Higher trust in government regarding COVID-19 control was significantly associated with higher adoption of health behaviours (handwashing, avoiding crowded space, self-quarantine) and prosocial behaviours in specification curve analyses (median standardised ß = 0.173 and 0.229, p < 0.001). Government perceived as well organised, disseminating clear messages and knowledge on COVID-19, and perceived fairness were positively associated with trust in government (standardised ß = 0.358, 0.230, 0.056, and 0.249, p < 0.01). Higher trust at baseline survey was significantly associated with lower rate of decline in health behaviours over time (p for interaction = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

These results highlighted the importance of trust in government in the control of COVID-19.

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Cohort study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Language: English Journal: Psychol Med Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S0033291721001306

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Cohort study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Language: English Journal: Psychol Med Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S0033291721001306