Developing representations of a ‘new’ illness using the Common Sense Model

Evolving Covid-19 illness representations and their associations with protective behaviours in the Scottish population

Dados Bibliográficos

ID21579799
AutoresChantal den Daas (0000-0003-0955-3691, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, autor correspondente), Diane Dixon (0000-0001-7099-204X, Edinburgh Napier University), Gill Hubbard (0000-0003-2165-5770, University of Dundee), Marie Johnston (0000-0003-0124-4827, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen)
Ano2025
Páginas1-23
Data de publicação2025-09-10
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoPsychology & Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0887-0446 • E-ISSN: 1476-8321
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/08870446.2025.2553192
PMID40928070
OpenAlexW4414083898
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas62

Objective There is a lack of research on how illness representations as represented in the Common Sense Self-Regulation Model (CS-SRM) emerge and develop. We aimed to describe the evolution of COVID-19 illness representations over time, and to explore associations with sociodemographic characteristics and protective behaviours.Methods and measures This study (June 2020 release from lockdown to February 2021 after vaccine roll-out) used 17 independently recruited cross-sectional cohorts. Telephone interviews with randomly selected Scottish adults (Ntotal = 8455) assessed illness representations and adherence to protective behaviours (physical distancing, wearing face covering, hand washing).Results Multivariable regression showed that beliefs in consequences and longer duration initially increased but later reduced. Overall females (Beta’s = −.067–.226), older people (Beta’s = .002–.014) and people from deprived areas (Beta’s = −.200–.072) represented COVID-19 as more threatening and time did not change most of these associations. People who felt more threatened [F(9, 4587) = 55.746, p < .001, R2 = .099] or believed COVID-19 was caused by lacking protective behaviours [F(8, 4804) = 59.738, p < .001, R2 = .090] were more likely to adhere to protective behaviours. Believing not keeping distance as a cause was associated with adherence; this association strengthened over time.Conclusion Illness representations changed over time, mirroring increasing knowledge and improved medical management, but also reflecting population anxiety and sense of control. Sociodemographic differences may relate to social roles and vulnerability. Illness representations predicted protective behaviours

Anxiety · Common sense · Medical illness · Mental illness · Mirroring · Population · Social representation · Sociology of health and illness · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment · Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments