The relevance of risk perception and coping strategies for COVID-19 situation reports

Introduction: Various measures have been implemented worldwide to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast to epidemiological data, psychosocial parameters such as coping strategies in the population were rarely considered in assessments of the course of the pandemic, a point that experts criticized. Based on the transactional model of stress and coping as well as the psychometric paradigm of risk perception, this paper addresses the relevance of psychosocial data for COVID-19 situation reports by highlighting the role of risk perception and coping within the German population. Method: We collected quantitative data on risk perception and coping strategies in four surveys conducted at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 in Germany. We present descriptive as well as bivariate results to examine our research questions statistically. Results: Data contribute to psychosocial aspects of the general situation report such as variations of risk perception during the pandemic (e.g., declining risk perception) and by sociodemographic (e.g., age) as well as location. Furthermore, Germans characterize the COVID-19 pandemic as a crisis with catastrophic potential, but as easily reducible through behavior. Besides, coping strategies are more problem-focused and most respondents listen to experts’ advice and try to behave appropriately. Conclusion: These data are helpful and necessary to provide a complete and substantial situation report in crises and disasters and support crisis managers and public authorities to adequately address the public regarding their concerns.