Social representation of COVID-19, attitudes and knowledge in the adult Portuguese population (La representación social, las actitudes y los conocimientos de la población adulta portuguesa sobre la COVID-19)

Abstract

ABSTRACT The goal of the present study was to measure COVID-19 social representation and to characterize attitudes and knowledge about the virus SARS-CoV-2. With an exploratory nature, it used a non-probabilistic sample of 297 Portuguese adults. To measure COVID-19 social representation, we used a free evocation task; attitudes were assessed by 20-item questionnaires divided into cognitive, affective and behavioural dimensions; knowledge was assessed by a true or false test based upon general information made available by DGS [Portuguese health general directorate]. Results suggest participants have little belief that they could be infected, have the disease or even be preoccupied about it. Concerning social representation, results suggest the existence of two different groups of participants, one with a more favourable attitude towards COVID-19 and another with a less favourable attitude. The study raises questions to be developed in future research.