Politicization of COVID-19 health-protective behaviors in the United States: Longitudinal and cross-national evidence
Authors: Stroebe Wolfgang , vanDellen Michelle R. , Abakoumkin Georgios , Lemay Edward P. , Schiavone William M. , Agostini Maximilian , Bélanger Jocelyn J. , Gützkow Ben , Kreienkamp Jannis , Reitsema Anne Margit , Abdul Khaiyom Jamilah Hanum , Ahmedi Vjolica , Akkas Handan , Almenara Carlos A. , Atta Mohsin , Bagci Sabahat Cigdem , Basel Sima , Berisha Kida Edona , Bernardo Allan B. I. , Buttrick Nicholas R. , Chobthamkit Phatthanakit , Choi Hoon-Seok , Cristea Mioara , Csaba Sára , Damnjanović Kaja , Danyliuk Ivan , Dash Arobindu , Di Santo Daniela , Douglas Karen M. , Enea Violeta , Faller Daiane Gracieli , Fitzsimons Gavan , Gheorghiu Alexandra , Gómez Ángel , Hamaidia Ali , Han Qing , Helmy Mai , Hudiyana Joevarian , Jeronimus Bertus F. , Jiang Ding-Yu , Jovanović Veljko , Kamenov Željka , Kende Anna , Keng Shian-Ling , Kieu Tra Thi Thanh , Koc Yasin , Kovyazina Kamila , Kozytska Inna , Krause Joshua , Kruglanksi Arie W. , Kurapov Anton , Kutlaca Maja , Lantos Nóra Anna , Lemsmana Cokorda Bagus Jaya , Louis Winnifred R. , Lueders Adrian , Malik Najma Iqbal , Martinez Anton , McCabe Kira O. , Mehulić Jasmina , Milla Mirra Noor , Mohammed Idris , Molinario Erica , Moyano Manuel , Muhammad Hayat , Mula Silvana , Muluk Hamdi , Myroniuk Solomiia , Najafi Reza , Nisa Claudia F. , Nyúl Boglárka , O’Keefe Paul A. , Olivas Osuna Jose Javier , Osin Evgeny N. , Park Joonha , Pica Gennaro , Pierro Antonio , Rees Jonas , Resta Elena , Rullo Marika , Ryan Michelle K. , Samekin Adil , Santtila Pekka , Sasin Edyta , Schumpe Birga M. , Selim Heyla A. , Stanton Michael Vicente , Sultana Samiah , Sutton Robbie M. , Tseliou Eleftheria , Utsugi Akira , van Breen Jolien Anne , Van Lissa Caspar J. , Van Veen Kees , Vázquez Alexandra , Wollast Robin , Wai-Lan Yeung Victoria , Zand Somayeh , Žeželj Iris Lav , Zheng Bang , Zick Andreas , Zúñiga Claudia , Leander N. Pontus 
Published: October 2021

During the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. conservative politicians and the media downplayed the risk of both contracting COVID-19 and the effectiveness of recommended health behaviors. Health behavior theories suggest perceived vulnerability to a health threat and perceived effectiveness of recommended health-protective behaviors determine motivation to follow recommendations. Accordingly, we predicted that—as a result of politicization of the pandemic—politically conservative Americans would be less likely to enact recommended health-protective behaviors. In two longitudinal studies of U.S. residents, political conservatism was inversely associated with perceived health risk and adoption of health-protective behaviors over time. The effects of political orientation on health-protective behaviors were mediated by perceived risk of infection, perceived severity of infection, and perceived effectiveness of the health-protective behaviors. In a global cross-national analysis, effects were stronger in the U.S. (N = 10,923) than in an international sample (total N = 51,986), highlighting the increased and overt politicization of health behaviors in the U.S.