Economic Insecurity as a Risk Factor During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors

Klaus E. Cavalhieri, University of North DakotaFollow

Keywords

economic insecurity; risk factor; COVID-19; health behavior

Disciplines

Counseling Psychology | Health Psychology | Multicultural Psychology | Other Public Health

Abstract

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently spreading at a rapid rate worldwide. The current pandemic may have several adverse effects on overall psychological functioning and health behaviors. Economic insecurity, operationalized as financial strain and employment uncertainty, can be a significant risk factor for both psychological outcomes and compliance with shelter-in-place recommendations (i.e., health behaviors). One hundred and twenty four participants answered survey data on economic security, fear of COVID-19, health care system distrust, anxiety, well-being, and compliance with CDC recommendations to curb the spread of COVID-19 (i.e., health behaviors; CDC, 2020). Economic security was significantly associated with well-being, health behaviors, and fear of COVID-19, beyond health care system distrust. Economic insecurity appears to be a risk factor during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it appears to deter people from engaging in social distancing and shelter-in-place recommendations. More robust public policies geared toward alleviating economic distress among vulnerable populations are needed, as they may inadvertently help curb the rapid spread of COVID-19.

Recommended Citation

Cavalhieri, Klaus E. (2021) "Economic Insecurity as a Risk Factor During the COVID-19 Pandemic," Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice: Vol. 14: Iss. 1, Article 8.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/jhdrp/vol14/iss1/8