Risk, time preferences, trustworthiness and COVID-19 preventive behavior: evidence from France.

ABSTRACT: We analyze how far-sightedness and risk aversion as well as the perceived trustworthiness of others correlate with COVID-19-related protective behaviors in France. We leverage individual-level data from the corona survey of the Survey of Health Aging and Retirement in Europe linked with a paper questionnaire survey about preferences conducted in France just before the coronavirus outbreak. Our results suggest that far-sightedness and risk aversion are strong predictors of individuals' protective behavior. More far-sighted individuals are more likely to not visit their family members anymore, wear a mask, and keep their distance from others when outside, wash their hands more regularly and cover their cough. Risk aversion increases the likelihood of not meeting more than 5 other people and

SUBMITTER: Bergeot J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9938797 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature