Negative Affectivity, Authoritarianism, and Anxiety of Infection Explain Early Maladjusted Behavior During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Frontiers in Psychology

Vincenzo Bochicchio¹  Cristiano Scandurra²  Stefano Pagliaro³  Maria Giuseppina Pacilli⁴  Adam Winsler⁵  Pasquale Dolce⁶ 

[1] Department of Humanities, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy;Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences, and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy;Department of Neurosciences, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara “G. D’Annunzio”, Chieti, Italy;Department of Political Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy;Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States;Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy;

关键词: COVID-19 outbreak;    negative affectivity;    right-wing authoritarianism;    anxiety of infection;    maladjusted behavior;    pandemic;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2021.583883

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

During the first phase of the COVID-19 outbreak, Italy experienced problems of public order and maladjusted behavior. This study assessed the role of negative affectivity, right-wing authoritarianism, and anxiety of COVID-19 infection in explaining a variety of the maladjusted behaviors (i.e., “China-phobic” discrimination, panic buying) observed with an Italian sample. Specifically, we examined the effect of Negative Affectivity and Right-Wing Authoritarianism on maladjusted behaviors, and the moderating role of anxiety of infection. Seven hundred and fifty-seven Italian participants completed an online survey between March 3rd to the 7th 2020, which was immediately before the lockdown. A moderated-mediation model was tested using a structural equation modeling approach. Results indicated that both Negative Affectivity and Right-Wing Authoritarianism were positively associated with COVID-19-related maladjusted behavior, and that Right-Wing Authoritarianism mediated the relationship between Negative Affectivity and maladjusted behavior. Furthermore, the effect of Right-Wing Authoritarianism on maladjusted behavior was greater for those with high anxiety of infection, and the indirect effect of Negative Affectivity on maladjusted behavior through Right-Wing Authoritarianism was moderated by infection anxiety. Findings highlight potential psychological paths that may inform communication strategies and public health initiatives aimed at promoting healthy behavior during an outbreak.

【 授权许可】

CC BY