Citation

Wirtz PW, Rohrbeck CA, Burns KM. J. Health Psychol. 2019; 24(10): 1401-1411.

Affiliation

James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1359105317720277

PMID

28810500

Abstract

Previous studies have revealed a negative relationship between anxiety and health-promoting behavior. This study identified three cognitive pathways through which anxiety operates on preparedness behaviors for terrorist attacks. Preparedness was regressed on trait anxiety, perceived threat, and self-efficacy based on data from 306 adults. Mediating paths through perceived threat (positive) and self-efficacy (negative) and an independent negative path were identified.

RESULTS suggest that the anxiety/precautionary behavior relationship is more complex than previously thought, involving multiple pathways of competing directionality. Interventions to improve disaster preparedness and thus reduce disaster-related morbidity/mortality would benefit by capitalizing on this multidimensionality.

Language: en

Keywords

anxiety; cognitive processing; health behavior; health promotion; health psychology; mediator; risk reduction; self-efficacy; stress