Predictors of distress and coping during pandemic-related self isolation: The relative importance of personality traits and beliefs about personal threat

Abstract

During pandemics such as COVID-19, voluntary self-isolation is important for limiting the spread of infection. Little is known about the traits that predict distress or coping with pandemic-related self-isolation. Some studies suggest that personality variables (e.g., introversion, conscientiousness, resilience, optimism) are important in predicting distress and coping during self-isolation, but such studies have not controlled for important variables such as stressors associated with self-isolation, demographic variables, and individual differences in beliefs (worries) about the dangerousness of COVID-19. The present study is, to our knowledge, the first to investigate the role of personality traits, demographic characteristics, and COVID-related beliefs about contracting the coronavirus. Data from a population representative sample of 938 adults from the United States and Canada, in voluntary self-isolation, revealed that COVID-related threat beliefs were more important than various personality variables in predicting (a) self-isolation distress, (b) general distress, (c) stockpiling behaviors, and (c) use of personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, and visors. There was little evidence that personality traits influenced threat beliefs. The findings are relevant for understanding distress and protective behaviors during the current pandemic, in subsequent waves of this pandemic, and in later pandemics, and for informing the development of targeted mental health interventions.