Optimistic Youth: Young Adults Predicted a Faster Decrease in Risk during COVID-19 Emergency State in Portugal
Portuguese Journal of Public Health
; : 43-51, 2022.
Article
in English
| Scopus | ID: covidwho-1846589
ABSTRACT
Perception of risk is known to change throughout the lifespan. Previous studies showed that younger adults are more prone to risk behaviours than older adults. Do these age-related differences influence risk perception during a pandemic crisis? Here, we investigated how age influenced predicted risk during the COVID-19 emergency state in Portugal. We show that time-projected estimations (e.g., appraisals based on 'now' vs. 'in two weeks' time', or 'in four weeks' time') of both risk behaviour and importance of transmission prevention decrease over time. Importantly, projected risk decreased more steeply for younger than older adults. Our findings suggest that younger adults have a different perception of epidemic-related risk than older adults. This seems to support the view that public health policy making during epidemics should differentially target younger adults. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel on behalf of NOVA National School of Public Health.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
Scopus
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Language:
English
Journal:
Portuguese Journal of Public Health
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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