A study of self-precaution against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of risk perception attitude theory and social support

Abstract

Background In this research, the factors that influence the self-precautionary behavior during the pandemic are explored with the combination of social support and a risk perception attitude framework. Methods An online survey was conducted among 429 members to collect information on demographic data, social support, perceptions of outbreak risk, health self-efficacy, and self-precautionary behaviors with the guide of the Social Support Scale, the COVID-19 Risk Perception Scale, the Health Self-Efficacy Scale and the Self-precautionary Behavior Scale. Results The research shows that among the three dimensions of social support, both objective support and support utilization negatively predict risk perception, while subjective support positively predicts health self-efficacy; health self-efficacy and risk perception significantly predict self-precautionary behavior; the relationship between risk perception and self-precautionary behavior is significantly moderated by health self-efficacy. Conclusions The combined influence of social capital and risk perception attitudinal frameworks on self-precautionary behavior is highlighted in this study, with the relationship between the public’s risk perception, health self-efficacy, and self-precautionary behavior intentions examined against the background of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). These findings contribute to understanding the impact of social capital factors on risk perception and health self-efficacy, which provides insight into the current status and influencing factors of the public’s precautionary behavior and facilitates early intervention during a pandemic.

US Consumer Behavior during a Pandemic: Precautionary Measures and Compensatory Consumption

“…Gender was not a variable of significance regarding frequency of use of precautionary measures-men and women reported similar frequency of use. These results contrast with previous research [10][11][12][13]. Because these data were collected in January 2021, when the pandemic had been spreading for more than a year and a vaccine was not yet widely available, perhaps both men and women had accepted the importance of using precautionary measures as a method of self-protection.…”

“…Gender has a significant effect on self-protective behavior [11]. Women and married participants were more likely to comply with precautionary measures such as social distancing, wearing masks and hand washing [12,13].…”

Associations among risk perception, health efficacy, and health behaviors for cardiovascular disease: an application of risk perception attitude framework

“…That is to say, individuals were more likely to act upon their perceived risk engaging in healthy physical activity and healthy diet against CVD when they perceived higher efficacy, as theorized by Rimal et al ( 21 ). Previous RPA investigations have verified the risk perception/efficacy belief interactions for HIV prevention ( 24 ), cancer prevention ( 25 , 26 ), and self-precaution against COVID-19 ( 30 ), although the interaction effect of pregnancy risk perception and leisure-time physical activity efficacy belief was not found, the results also suggested that efficacy belief appeared important in facilitating greater levels of pregnancy leisure-time physical activity ( 32 ). In addition, Rains et al tailored messages for diabetes screenings according to baseline RPA groups, and the results revealed that participants who received matching messages reported greater willingness to engage in self-protective behavior ( 27 ).…”

“…Several studies have indeed tested the effectiveness of the RPA framework in promoting health behavior changes related to the prevention of HIV or HPV ( 22 – 24 ), cancer ( 25 , 26 ), diabetes ( 27 , 28 ), and COVID-19 ( 29 , 30 ), as well as pregnancy leisure-time physical activity ( 31 , 32 ), information seeking ( 33 , 34 ), safety behavior while driving ( 35 ), or using chemical household products ( 36 ). However, the RPA framework has yet to be applied to understand health behaviors in response to CVD risk reduction.…”

Population Behavior Changes Underlying Phasic Shifts of SARS-CoV-2 Exposure Settings Across 3 Omicron Epidemic Waves in Hong Kong: Prospective Cohort Study

“…The findings also revealed that, although class 4 participants had a wider source of exposure through participation in more leisure activities than class 3 participants, the former was not significantly more vulnerable to infection. It is possible that the heightened perceived risk and precautionary behaviors compensated the actual risk [ 35 ]. Based on the subgroup analysis, a higher daily exposure risk did not result in an increased likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 acquisition among individuals having received ≥3 vaccine doses before the outbreak.…”