Table 5.
An overview of the hypotheses tested in the study.
| Hypotheses | Status |
|---|---|
| H1: Negative attitudes (H1a), subjective norms (H1b), behavioral control (H1c) and negative emotions (H1d) have a positive association with behavioral intentions to prevent infection with COVID-19. | H1a, H1c and H1d—supported H1b—marginally supported |
| H2: Exposure to general information concerning COVID-19 is positively associated with negative attitudes (H2a), subjective norms (H2b) and negative emotions (H2c) related to COVID-19. | H2a—supported H2b and H2c—marginally supported |
| H3: Exposure to humoristic information about COVID-19 is negatively associated with negative attitudes (H3a), subjective norms (H3b) and negative emotions (H3c) related to COVID-19. | H3a, H3b and H3c—not supported |
| H4: Exposure to humoristic information about COVID-19 attenuates the positive effect of exposure to general information on negative attitudes (H4a), subjective norms (H4b) and negative emotions (H4c) in relation to COVID-19. | H4a and H4c—supported H4b—not supported |
| H5a: Negative attitudes towards COVID-19 mediate the effect of exposure to general information on behavioral intentions to prevent infection with COVID-19. | H5a—supported |
| H5b: Subjective norms towards COVID-19 mediate the effect of exposure to general information on behavioral intentions to prevent infection with COVID-19. | H5b—not supported |
| H5c: Negative emotions experienced in relation to COVID-19 mediate the effect of exposure to general information on behavioral intentions to prevent infection with COVID-19. | H5c—supported |
| H6a: Behavioral control accentuates the positive association between negative attitudes towards COVID-19 and protective behavioral intentions. | H6a—not supported |
| H6b: Behavioral control accentuates the positive association between the subjective norms and protective behavioral intentions. | H6b—not supported |
| H6c: Behavioral control accentuates the positive association between negative emotions experienced in relation to COVID-19 and protective behavioral intentions. | H6c—not supported |