Research Symposium

BIO

Andrea Herzog is an undergraduate student at Florida State University studying Biochemistry and Psychology on the pre-medical track. She is passionate about science, healthcare, and serving underserved communities. Andrea is involved in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP), where she gains hands-on research experience and develops scientific inquiry skills. She is also a member of Alpha Chi Sigma, the professional chemistry fraternity, collaborating with peers who share her commitment to scientific learning and professional growth. In addition, Andrea volunteers with Remote Area Medical (RAM), helping provide free medical services to underserved populations. Her academic and service experiences continue to prepare her for medical school and a future career in medicine.

How People Interpret Sickness: An American Model of Sickness

Abstract

Research on illness is an important topic due to its widespread and life-threatening nature, and focusing on cultural differences on perceptions of sickness is critical for a better understanding of how culture can influence how people behave when sick or perceive sickness behaviors. We are investigating perceptions of sickness post-Covid in FSU students to establish a comparison with pre-Covid data collected in 2014-2015. This research will allow us to conduct further studies, such as cross-cultural comparisons, on why people behave the way they do when they are sick. We are recruiting participants that are 18 or older years old and Florida State students. We gathered data through a 142-question survey and through a semi-structured interview, where the interviewer was given a loose interview guide, specifically sections about what “normal and abnormal” symptoms and behaviors are, individual personality traits and how they affect sickness, and how the last time someone was sick was. Through this research, we are hoping to discover if people have become more sensitive towards the ideas of sickness and showcase more awareness of sickness behaviors when compared to pre-Covid data, especially regarding attending school or going to work. If this ends up coming into fruition, then it gives future research the opportunity to investigate this increased awareness to implement better sick day policies for employees and students and to promote better sickness safety regulations. Additionally, more research on this topic will be needed to test for cultural differences in sickness behaviors and perceptions.

Keywords: Sickness, COVID, and American