COVID-19 Prevention – Global Research Study of Relevance to Psychology and Health

Abstract. Despite advances in COVID-19 vaccine development, global immunization has proceeded slowly, with low-income countries being disadvantaged in the distribution of vaccines ( York, 2020 ). Hence, a large portion of the global population will remain unprotected against the virus unless they strictly keep up with the prevention measures. To support the UN Sustainable Goal 3 and related targets of improving prevention efforts to promote good health and well-being, this paper shares participants’ adherence to recommended prevention behaviors and their relationship to demographic characteristics, personal health beliefs, and well-being across a large, nonrandomized sample from over 60 countries. The findings indicate more variability in adherence to behaviors within countries than between them, with women and those with more education and subjective socioeconomic status being more compliant with prevention recommendations. Positive feelings toward one’s ability to stay healthy impacted behavior more than fear of contracting the disease. Implications for the importance of prevention science to further positive behavior change supporting the UN Sustainable Goal of promoting health and well-being are highlighted.