Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the Irish population: factors influencing compliance & belief in Covid
Authors
Downes-Bond, Caoilinn
Issue Date
2022
Degree
BA (Hons) in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the Irish population, testing their satisfaction with life, perceived stress, fear of Covid, Covid compliance, and belief in conspiracy theories about covid-19. Data from 151 (females 104, males 45, prefer not to say= 2) participants was collected through an online self-report survey. In this survey, participants were asked to complete a total of five questionnaires: The Fear of Covid Scale (Ahorsu et al., 2020), The Covid Compliance Scale (Köse et al., 2021), The Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen et al., 1994), The Satisfaction With Life Scale (Diener et al., 1985), and the Compliance and Belief in Conspiracy Theories Scale (Pavela et al., 2021). Results found significant positive correlations between fear of Covid and perceived stress, and fear of Covid and compliance with Covid health/safety measures. Results also found a negative correlation with fear of Covid and satisfaction with life. Testing between groups found that: females were significantly more fearful of Covid and compliant with health/safety measures than males. It was also found that there was no particular age group that were more fearful of covid. Participants that had not tested positive for Covid were significantly more fearful of it than those that had. All data used in this study was collected quantitatively through an online Google Form survey over the period of roughly one month. Important conclusions drawn from this study indicate a need for more focused health and safety campaigns particularly amongst the male population. Males were identified as being less compliant and more likely to take risks rather than comply with public health advice.