When and Why People Conceal Infectious Disease.
| Title: | When and Why People Conceal Infectious Disease. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Merrell WN; Department of Psychology, University of Michigan.; Choi S; Department of Psychology, University of Michigan.; Ackerman JM; Department of Psychology, University of Michigan. |
| Source: | Psychological science [Psychol Sci] 2024 Mar; Vol. 35 (3), pp. 215-225. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jan 24. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Sage Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 9007542 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1467-9280 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 09567976 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Psychol Sci Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: 2010-> : Thousand Oaks, CA : Sage; Original Publication: New York, NY : Cambridge University Press, c1990- |
| MeSH Terms: | Communicable Diseases*/epidemiology ; Interpersonal Relations*; Adult ; Humans ; Motivation |
| Abstract: | People sick with infectious illnesses face negative social outcomes, like exclusion, and may take steps to conceal their illnesses from others. In 10 studies of past, current, and projected illness, we examined the prevalence and predictors of infection concealment in adult samples of U.S. university students, health-care employees, and online crowdsourced workers (total N = 4,110). About 75% reported concealing illness in interpersonal interactions, possibly placing others in harm's way. Concealment motives were largely social (e.g., wanting to attend events like parties) and achievement oriented (e.g., completing work objectives). Disease characteristics, including potential harm and illness immediacy, also influenced concealment decisions. People imagining harmful (vs. mild) infections concealed illness less frequently, whereas participants who were actually sick concealed frequently regardless of illness harm, suggesting state-specific biases underlying concealment decisions. Disease concealment appears to be a widely prevalent behavior by which concealers trade off risks to others in favor of their own goals, creating potentially important public-health consequences. |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: concealment; contagious illness; open data; open materials; preregistered |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20240124 Date Completed: 20240315 Latest Revision: 20240315 |
| Update Code: | 20260130 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/09567976231221990 |
| PMID: | 38265420 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Journal Article