PsyCorona: a multinational initiative of urgent data collection with a longitudinal and prospective approach

We are conducting a rapid, multi-national collaboration that aims to identify psychological and cultural factors that may be relevant to the virus spread and its imminent social and material consequences. The online survey includes brief measures to assess topic-relevant beliefs, fears, hopes, and frustrations, predictors of self-containment and social distancing, attitudes toward policies, reasoning, and behavioral self-reports. The survey has a built-in longitudinal component as well as a broader data science mission involving metadata. This is an unfunded, citizen-scientist initiative comprised of 40+ colleagues (and counting). The goal of group is to publish reports suggesting to policy makers the most promising avenues to thwart the spread of the virus.