Correlates of Compliance With COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines: Risk Propensity, Locus of Control, Intolerance of Uncertainty

Abstract

As the world faces the threat of the coronavirus pandemic it is imperative that people comply with the prevention guidelines provided by the experts. Despite the prevention guidelines in place, the compliance rates among individuals differ. In order to improve voluntary compliance with the COVID-19 prevention guidelines, it is important to examine the personality attributes owing to the individual differences in compliance rates. The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between Compliance with COVID-19 prevention guidelines and Risk Propensity, Locus of Control, and Intolerance of Uncertainty respectively. The study employed a survey method wherein standardized questionnaires were administered to participants from different cities of India. The results indicate that there exists a significant negative correlation between Risk Propensity, External Locus of Control and, Intolerance of Uncertainty and Compliance with COVID-19 prevention guidelines. The results also demonstrate a significant positive correlation between Internal Locus of Control and Compliance with COVID-19 prevention guidelines. The findings suggest the importance of a plurality of messages in communication by the experts and officials. Theoretical and quantitative findings are elaborated in detail.