Delay discounting of compliance with containment measures during the COVID-19
outbreak: a survey of the Italian population
#MMPMID32837837
Nese M
; Riboli G
; Brighetti G
; Sassi V
; Camela E
; Caselli G
; Sassaroli S
; Borlimi R
Z Gesundh Wiss
2022[]; 30
(2
): 503-511
PMID32837837
show ga
AIM: Unprecedented community containment measures were taken following the recent
outbreak of COVID-19 in Italy. The aim of the study was to explore the
self-reported future compliance of citizens with such measures and its
relationship with potentially impactful psychological variables. SUBJECTS AND
METHODS: An online survey was completed by 931 people (18-76 years) distributed
across the Italian territory. In addition to demographics, five dimensions were
measured: self-reported compliance with containment measures over time (today, at
7, 14, 30, 60, 90, and 180 days from now) at three hypothetical risk levels (10,
50, 90% of likelihood of contracting the COVID-19), perceived risk, generalized
anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, and relevance of several psychological needs
whose satisfaction is currently precluded. RESULTS: The mean compliance scores
follow a hyperbolic-like curve, decreasing over time for the lowest level of risk
(10%), whilst they tend to flatten for ? 50% risk (90%). Significantly higher
levels of anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, and perceived risk were reported
by women compared to men (p?0.001 for each variable). Outdoor sports was the
only need associated with the discounting rate of compliance (r (s) ?=?- 0.08,
p?=?0.018). CONCLUSION: The duration of containment measures plays a crucial role
in tackling the spread of the disease as people will be less compliant over time.
Psychological needs of citizens impacting on the compliance should be taken into
account when planning an easing of the lockdown, along with interventions for
protecting vulnerable groups from mental distress.