Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of understanding the psychological factors associated with engagement in recommended health behaviours. This study examines how decision regret and conspiracy mentality relate to vaccination engagement and protective health behaviours during the later stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus. Methods: A total of 325 Greek-speaking adults completed an online questionnaire that included demographic questions, the Decision Regret Scale (DRS), the Conspiracy Mentality Questionnaire (CMQ), and a COVID-19 Preventive Behaviours Questionnaire developed by the authors. Results: The findings showed that: (a) greater vaccination engagement and protective health behaviours were associated with lower levels of decision regret; and (b) conspiracy mentality was associated with vaccination engagement but not with protective health behaviours. Conclusions: The findings highlight the potential relevance of emotional processes such as decision regret and belief-related factors, such as conspiracy mentality, in relation to engagement with recommended health behaviours. These findings may help inform public health communication strategies aimed at supporting engagement in recommended health behaviours during future health crises.

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