Psychosocial Predictors and Mediators Relating to the Preventive Behaviors of Hospital Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey

Abstract

Objective The aim is to analyze the relation of psychosocial factors to COVID-19 contraction, vaccination, and preventive health behavior in and outside work. Methods The questionnaire data from hospital-workers in Turkey is analyzed using independent-samples t-test, logistic regression, linear regression, and mediation analyses. We developed a questionnaire on mask-hygiene-distance measures and also used previously developed scales including the Big Five Personality Questionnaire, Young Schema Questionnaire Short Form 3, Schwartz's Basic Human Values Scale, Short Dark Triad. Results The odds of being infected by COVID-19 increases by self-direction. The odds of being vaccinated increases by age and conformity, and decreases by emotional stability. Education predicts certain preventive behaviors at work negatively and outside work positively. Older age, being a woman, having chronic disease, the self-transcendence and conservation values, agreeableness, and conscientiousness predict more preventive behaviors. The self-enhancement and openness to change values, the Dark Triad, and early maladaptive schemas predict more risky behaviors. Conclusions Designing prohealth policies requires further elaboration on the relation of psychosocial factors to preventive behaviors.