Risk Perception in a Real-World Situation (COVID-19): How It Changes From 18 to 87 Years Old

Studies on age-related differences in risk perception in a real-world situation, such as
the recent COVID-19 outbreak, showed that the risk perception of getting COVID-19
tends to decrease as age increases. This finding raised the question on what factors
could explain risk perception in older adults. The present study examined age-related
differences in risk perception in the early stages of COVID-19 lockdown, analyzing
variables that can explain the differences in perception of risk at different ages. A total of
1,765 adults aged between 18 and 87 years old completed an online survey assessing
perceived risk severity and risk vulnerability of getting COVID-19, sociodemographic
status, emotional state, experience relating to COVID-19, and physical health status.
Results showed that the older the participants, the lower the perceived vulnerability
to getting COVID-19, but the higher the perceived severity. Different predictors explain
the perception of risk severity and vulnerability at different ages. Overall, self-reported
anxiety over the pandemic is a crucial predictor in explaining risk perceptions in all age
groups. Theoretical and practical implications of the empirical findings are discussed.