Changes in danger perception at different levels of lockdown during COVID-19 pandemic in women

Background. Current investigations shows substantial effect of personal experience on danger perception. During COVID-19 pandemic many people reported about psychological discomfort, anxiety, fear, comes from infection itself and collateral effects of pandemic. Investigations in psychology of risk indicate personal experience as one of components of risk perception. In the same time there are no clearance of the effect of experience of particular danger on wide spectrum of hazards.

Objective. Our aim was to clarify the effect of pandemic experience on perception of dangers of external world, to assess quantitative and quantitative differences in danger perception on different stages of coronavirus spread and restrictions rate in Russian sample.

Design. The research uses original diagnostic complex designed for danger perception assessment: Photo-test “Danger estimate test based on photos”, modified Drawn Apperceptive Test, DAT (itself a modification of Thematic Apperceptive Test), “unfinished sentences” test (original set). The research had two stages. The first stage was held before coronavirus start spreading in Russia (February 2020) and before restrictions were imposed. The second stage of research was held in the period of pandemic acceleration and hard restrictions (March-April 2020). The research was held online

Sample size: 57 undergraduates aged 18–24 years.

Results. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed. In Photo-test integral score of perceived danger is higher on second stage (p ≤ 0.05) as well as anthropogenic score (p ≤ 0.01). Natural and social scores shows no significant differences. There are mentions of coronavirus are found in answers to unfinished sentences on the second stage of research.

Conclusion. Experience of danger situation substantially increases perceived risk score concerning actual hazard. Projective methods shows an actualization of the hazard theme. Experience of pandemic danger don’t effect on assessment of interpersonal relationships risks.

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