The Role of Sociodemographic and Psychological Variables on Risk Perception of the Flu

Bibliographic Data

ID16910745
AuthorsElena Commodari (0000-0002-7647-8743, University of Catania, corresponding author)
Year2017
Volume7
Issue3
Pages2158244017718890-2158244017718890
Publication date2017-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSAGE Open (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2158-2440 • E-ISSN: 2158-2440
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/2158244017718890
PMID32455056
OpenAlexW2734427519
LanguageEN
Citations received16
References cited48

Influenza is a source of mortality and morbidity, and vigilance of health authorities for flu viruses is high. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted that the first lines of defense against infectious diseases are behavioral, and risk perception affects behavioral measures. This study investigated risk perception of influenza and the role of sociodemographic and psychological variables on perceived risk. Participants were 442 adults. The research was conducted using three measures: an adjustment of the “Risk Perception of Infectious Disease Questionnaire,” the “General Self-Efficacy Scale,” and the short form of the “Italian Personality Inventory.” The results showed that age, education, self-efficacy, and personality influenced risk perception. The evidence that sociodemographic and psychological factors contribute to risk perception of a disease shows the need to take into account these variables in the planning of informative campaigns, with the aim to achieve favorable changes in public behavior. These issues might have implications for the ameliorating health communication efforts and successful response to new influenza outbreaks

Big Five personality traits · Disease · Environmental health · Perception · Personality · Public health · Risk perception · Clinical Psychology · Media Influence and Health · Medicine · Misinformation and Its Impacts · Nursing · Psychology · Social Psychology · Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy