Coping with influenza A/H1N1 in India: empathy is associated with increased vaccination and health precautions

Abstract

In previous research on severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and West Nile virus, empathic responding has been associated with higher perceived threat during a pandemic as well as the implementation of recommended health precautions. The goal of the current study was to investigate the role of empathic responding outside of a Western context by examining the endorsement of specific health precautions during the 2009–2010 H1N1 pandemic in India. Responses to questions about Centers for Disease Control recommended health precautions, perceived threat and empathic responding were collected from 100 individuals living in the city of Dharwad in India’s Karnataka state. Analyses revealed that individuals who responded to the threat of H1N1 with greater empathy were more likely to endorse recommended health behaviours (i.e. vaccination, handwashing and disinfectant use). These effects remained when controlling for gender, perceived threat of H1N1 and other disease-relevant coping responses of denial and wishful thinking. In addition, a synergistic effect of empathic responding and perceived threat emerged for vaccination and disinfectant use. When empathic responding was high, increased threat perception was associated with an increased likelihood of endorsing these key health precautions. When empathy was low, however, perceived threat displayed no significant effect. Findings confirm the important role of empathy in coping with the threat of infectious disease. In light of previous research suggesting a similar pattern, the potential universal nature of this model is considered. Future directions for research and implications for policy and education are also discussed.

Keywords:

• empathy
• health behaviours
• vaccination
• handwashing
• infectious disease