In this study, the effectiveness of emphasizing concern for well-being in COVID-19 crisis communication messages was examined as an extension of the IDEA model. Using theory from organizational behavior, it was hypothesized that individuals whose institutions demonstrate concern for their well-being in a COVID-19 message would be more likely to report intentions to engage in prosocial behavior. Two messages, which differed only through an added emphasis on concern for well-being, were randomly displayed to 770 participants in an online survey. After reading the message about an increase in COVID-19 cases, participants answered questions meant to gauge intentions relevant to COVID-19 behavior. Results identified significant relationships between message group (control vs. experimental) and intentions related to going to indoor events, wearing a mask, and practicing social distancing. These relationships were in the opposite direction as what was hypothesized, showing that emphasizing concern for well-being could contribute to risky behavioral intentions. Because subgroup analyses indicated that this effect was primarily found amongst individuals who did not change their behavior as a result of the pandemic, further research is needed to determine whether institutions and their communities benefit from messages that demonstrate a concern for well-being.
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Understanding Multiple Dimensions of Perceived Greenspace Accessibility and Their Effect on Subjective Well-Being During a Global Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated how the accessibility of greenspace can shift in response to social-ecological disturbance, and generated questions as to how changing dimensions of accessibility affect the ecosystem services of greenspace, such as improved subjective well-being. Amidst the growing consensus of the important role of greenspace in improving and maintaining well-being through times of duress, we examine how access to greenspace is affecting subjective well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both the relationship of greenspace to subjective well-being and the barriers to greenspace access are well-established for normal conditions. Much remains to be known, however, about how barriers to access and the effect of greenspace on subjective well-being shift in response to periods of social duress, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. Using data from surveys and interviews conducted with 1,200 university students in the United States during the spring of 2020, we assess the effect of going outdoors on subjective well-being, commonly experienced barriers to going outside, and how these barriers in turn affected subjective well-being. We find that time spent outside, particularly in greenspace, correlates with higher levels of subjective well-being, and that concern over COVID-19 risk and transmission negatively affects this relationship both in reducing time spent outdoors and the subjective well-being benefits. We also find that type of greenspace (public vs. private) does not have a significant effect on subjective well-being, that while those in areas with lower population density have significantly higher subjective well-being when outdoors, all participants experience a statistically equal benefit to subjective well-being by going outside. Our findings suggest how understanding the ways dimensions of accessibility shift in response to times of social duress can aid public health messaging, the design and management of greenspace, and environmental justice efforts to support the use of greenspace in improving and maintaining subjective well-being during future crisis events.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1934933
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10325179
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Frontiers in Sustainable Cities
- Volume:
- 3
- ISSN:
- 2624-9634
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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N = 4091 adolescents and parents during early summer 2020, participating in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive DevelopmentSMStudy. Poorer family well‐being was linked to prepandemic psychosocial and financial adversity and was associated with pandemic‐related material hardship and social disruptions to routines. Parental alcohol use increased risk for worsening of family relationships, while a greater endorsement of coping strategies was mainly associated with overall better family well‐being. Financial and mental health support may be critical for family well‐being during and after a widespread crisis, such as the COVID‐19 pandemic.
- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.3389/frsc.2021.709997
