This study explores the psychological factors influencing public health compliance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers found that fear of the virus was the strongest predictor of positive behavior change, such as social distancing and improved hand hygiene, with no significant effect of political orientation. The study involved 324 participants from around the world, who completed measures of perceived risk, fear of the virus, moral foundations, political orientation, and behavior change. Results showed a moderate positive correlation between higher fear scores and increased engagement in public health behaviors. Fear was also linked to decreased physical and environmental wellbeing. The study suggests that fear, while potentially causing distress, plays a functional role in promoting public health compliance. It also found that political orientation and moral foundations did not significantly predict behavior change. The findings highlight the importance of emotional responses in shaping public health behavior, and suggest that negative emotions, while not always indicative of psychopathology, can be functional in promoting protective behaviors during a pandemic. The study also notes that political differences in responses to the pandemic may not be as significant as previously thought, and that people can act in line with public health advice despite ideological differences. The study underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of the psychological and social factors influencing public health compliance during a crisis.This study explores the psychological factors influencing public health compliance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers found that fear of the virus was the strongest predictor of positive behavior change, such as social distancing and improved hand hygiene, with no significant effect of political orientation. The study involved 324 participants from around the world, who completed measures of perceived risk, fear of the virus, moral foundations, political orientation, and behavior change. Results showed a moderate positive correlation between higher fear scores and increased engagement in public health behaviors. Fear was also linked to decreased physical and environmental wellbeing. The study suggests that fear, while potentially causing distress, plays a functional role in promoting public health compliance. It also found that political orientation and moral foundations did not significantly predict behavior change. The findings highlight the importance of emotional responses in shaping public health behavior, and suggest that negative emotions, while not always indicative of psychopathology, can be functional in promoting protective behaviors during a pandemic. The study also notes that political differences in responses to the pandemic may not be as significant as previously thought, and that people can act in line with public health advice despite ideological differences. The study underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of the psychological and social factors influencing public health compliance during a crisis.