@kleincalv,
I doubt that this has been studied yet, at least not officially. For most brands, their addition of a cover image is a part of their brand identity. Politicians might use local imagery or patriotic pictures. As for individuals, it's a part of personal branding, although a lot of people might not realize that. For a woman in Arkansas, say, to use an image of the Paris skyline might mean that she fancies herself as sophisticated, or it could represent a desire to travel, or to study the French language. Or she might just think it's a pretty picture.
I suspect this will be studied at some point, but I am pretty sure it hasn't been yet.