Frontiers in Psychology (Feb 2024)

Risk perceptions of COVID-19 in Beijing: a cross-sectional study

  • Qing Liu,
  • Yiyang Tan,
  • Zheng Zhu,
  • Jiawei Zhang,
  • Yaqun Fu,
  • Quan Wang,
  • Zhijie Nie,
  • Li Yang,
  • Xiaoguang Li

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1294765
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15

Abstract

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BackgroundThe Chinese government has ended the “dynamic zero-COVID” policy, and residents are now living together with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Only a limited number of studies have investigated the specific content and structure of COVID-19-related risk perceptions, as well as their underlying determinants. This study measured the residents’ risk perception of COVID-19 and analyzed the predictors of RP.MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive questionnaire-based survey among residents mostly in Beijing, using a specially designed scale consisting of 11 items to accurately measure COVID-19 risk perceptions. We then utilized multiple linear regression analysis to investigate the factors associated with risk perceptions.ResultsA total of 60,039 residents participated in the survey. Our study reveals that COVID-19-related worries are significantly influenced by other dimensions of RP (p < 0.001), except for perceived society’s control of the epidemic. Several experiential and socio-demographic factors, including gender, educational level, and infectious experience, are notably correlated with all dimensions of risk perceptions of COVID-19.ConclusionThis study evaluates the specific content and structure of COVID-19-related risk perceptions, as well as their determinants. It is essential to understand the risk perceptions and health-protective behaviors of residents with diverse educational levels, incomes, and medical histories.

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