Religiosity predicts unreasonable coping with COVID-19

ABSTRACT

The present study explores the impact of religiosity during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020). The focus is on associations between religiosity, coronavirus anxiety, and preventive behavior. Participants were 1,182 U.S. citizens (50% female;20–83 years of age). Highly religious participants scored higher on the somatic component of coronavirus anxiety (emotionality) but lower on the cognitive component (worry). With regard to preventive behavior, highly religious participants reported more unreasonable behavior (e.g., avoiding 5G networks, hoarding toilet paper) than participants with low religiosity;at the bivariate level, there were no differences in reasonable behavior (e.g., physical contact avoidance, frequent handwashing). A comprehensive mediation model showed emotionality-mediated associations between religiosity and unreasonable behavior (positive indirect effect) but also worry-mediated associations between religiosity and reasonable behavior (negative indirect effect). The results remained stable when controlling for relevant sociodemographic variables. The discussion centers on religiosity, information processing, and rationality during a global health crisis situation.