School of Psychology, University of Plymouth, UK.
Department of Psychology, City, University of London, UK.
Br J Health Psychol. 2020 Nov;25(4):839-848. doi: 10.1111/bjhp.12423. Epub 2020 Apr 29.
Objectives Public behaviour change is necessary to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Based on the reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) framework, this study presents an examination of individual differences in some relevant psychological factors. Design Cross-sectional psychometric. Methods UK respondents (N = 202) completed a personality questionnaire (RST-PQ), measures of illness attitudes, concerns about the impact of coronavirus on health services and socio-economic infrastructures, personal safety, and likelihood of voluntary self-isolation. Results Respondents most concerned were older, had negative illness attitudes, and scored higher on reward reactivity (RR), indicating the motivation to take positive approach action despite prevailing worry/anxiety. Personal safety concerns were highest in those with negative illness attitudes and higher fight-flight-freeze system (FFFS, reflecting fear/avoidance) scores. Results suggest people are experiencing psychological conflict: between the urge to stay safe (FFFF-related) and the desire to maintain a normal, pleasurable (RR-related) life. Ways of ameliorating conflict may include maladaptive behaviours (panic buying), reflecting reward-related displacement activity. Intended self-isolation related to FFFS, but also low behavioural inhibition system (related to anxiety) scores. Older people reported themselves less likely to self-isolate. Conclusions Interventions need to consider individual differences in psychological factors in behaviour change, and we discuss relevant literature to inform policy makers and communicators. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) personality systems can influence perception of persuasive health messages. However, there is limited evidence for their direct effects on health concerns and behaviours, and none relating to specific infectious diseases. What does this study add? Reward reactivity (RR) is associated with concern about impact of coronavirus on the NHS and other social infrastructures, indicating the motivation to take positive-approach action despite worry/anxiety. Personal safety concerns are related to fight-flight-freeze system traits (FFFS, reflecting fear/avoidance). Intended self-isolation related to FFFS, but also low behavioural inhibition system (related to anxiety) scores. Older people reported themselves less likely to self-isolate. Results suggest psychological conflict: between the urge to stay safe (FFFF-related) and the desire to maintain a normal, pleasurable life (RR-related). Ways of ameliorating conflict may include maladaptive behaviours (panic buying), reflecting reward-related displacement activity.
目的 为了遏制冠状病毒（COVID-19）的传播，必须改变公众行为。基于强化敏感性理论（RST）框架，本研究对一些相关心理因素的个体差异进行了检验。
设计 横断面心理计量学。
方法 英国受访者（N=202）完成了人格问卷（RST-PQ）、疾病态度量表、对冠状病毒对卫生服务和社会经济基础设施的影响的担忧、人身安全以及自愿自我隔离的可能性。
结果 最担心的受访者年龄较大，对疾病的态度消极，奖励反应性（RR）得分较高，这表明尽管存在担忧/焦虑，他们仍有采取积极应对行动的动机。对疾病的态度消极且战斗-逃跑-冻结系统（FFFS，反映恐惧/回避）得分较高的人对人身安全的担忧最高。结果表明，人们正在经历心理冲突：一方面是保持安全的冲动（与 FFFFF 相关），另一方面是维持正常、愉快生活的欲望（与 RR 相关）。缓解冲突的方法可能包括适应不良的行为（恐慌性购买），反映了与奖励相关的置换活动。自我隔离意向与 FFFS 有关，但也与低行为抑制系统（与焦虑有关）分数有关。老年人报告自己不太可能自我隔离。
结论 干预措施需要考虑行为改变中个体差异的心理因素，我们讨论了相关文献，以为政策制定者和沟通者提供信息。
主题贡献 关于这个主题已经知道什么？ 强化敏感性理论（RST）人格系统可以影响对有说服力的健康信息的感知。然而，关于它们对健康关注和行为的直接影响，以及与特定传染病相关的影响，证据有限。
本研究增加了什么？ 奖励反应性（RR）与对冠状病毒对国民保健制度和其他社会基础设施的影响的担忧有关，这表明尽管存在担忧/焦虑，他们仍有采取积极应对行动的动机。对人身安全的担忧与战斗-逃跑-冻结系统特征（FFFS，反映恐惧/回避）有关。自我隔离意向与 FFFS 有关，但也与低行为抑制系统（与焦虑有关）分数有关。老年人报告自己不太可能自我隔离。
一方面是保持安全的冲动（与 FFFFF 相关），另一方面是维持正常、愉快生活的欲望（与 RR 相关）。缓解冲突的方法可能包括适应不良的行为（恐慌性购买），反映了与奖励相关的置换活动。
