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The Role of Illness Perceptions, Coping, and Self-Efficacy on Adherence to Precautionary Measures for COVID-19

Author

Listed:
  • Yuen Yu Chong

    (The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Wai Tong Chien

    (The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Ho Yu Cheng

    (The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Ka Ming Chow

    (The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Angelos P. Kassianos

    (Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
    Department of Applied Health Research, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK)

  • Maria Karekla

    (Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus)

  • Andrew Gloster

    (Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Intervention Science, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland)

Abstract

As the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues, engaging the public in adherence to precautionary measures for preventing COVID-19 spread or infection becomes difficult. The present study aims to extend our understanding of how illness perceptions, coping, and self-efficacy affect adherence to precautionary measures among the public. An online survey was administered between April and June 2020 to a sample of 514 Hong Kong citizens. Variables considered were illness perceptions toward COVID-19, problem-solving, avoidance-based coping, self-efficacy, as well as adherence to precautionary measures including physical distancing, limiting unnecessary travelling, and washing hands regularly with soap and water. Adjusted structural equation model showed that illness perceptions toward COVID-19 had significant direct effect on their adherence to precautionary measures (unstandardized β = 0.50, [95% CI, 0.28, 0.80], p = 0.001), and indirect effects through avoidance-based coping (β = −0.10 [95% CI, −0.26, −0.01], p = 0.016) and self-efficacy (β = −0.10, [95% CI, −0.18, −0.01], p = 0.025). These results imply that apart from emphasizing the health hazards of a novel infectious disease, an effective public health intervention and crisis communication should address avoidance-based coping and self-efficacy of the public in adherence to precautionary measures for COVID-19.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuen Yu Chong & Wai Tong Chien & Ho Yu Cheng & Ka Ming Chow & Angelos P. Kassianos & Maria Karekla & Andrew Gloster, 2020. "The Role of Illness Perceptions, Coping, and Self-Efficacy on Adherence to Precautionary Measures for COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-11, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6540-:d:410564
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Nitin Verma & Kenneth R. Fleischmann & Le Zhou & Bo Xie & Min Kyung Lee & Kate Rich & Kristina Shiroma & Chenyan Jia & Tara Zimmerman, 2022. "Trust in COVID‐19 public health information," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 73(12), pages 1776-1792, December.
    2. Yuen Yu Chong & Wai Tong Chien & Ho Yu Cheng & Demetris Lamnisos & Jeļena Ļubenko & Giovambattista Presti & Valeria Squatrito & Marios Constantinou & Christiana Nicolaou & Savvas Papacostas & Gökçen A, 2021. "Patterns of Psychological Responses among the Public during the Early Phase of COVID-19: A Cross-Regional Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-19, April.
    3. Meng Xuan Zhang & Juliet Honglei Chen & Kwok Kit Tong & Eilo Wing-yat Yu & Anise M. S. Wu, 2021. "Problematic Smartphone Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Its Association with Pandemic-Related and Generalized Beliefs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-11, May.
    4. Qi Li & Ronglei Luo & Xiaoya Zhang & Guangteng Meng & Bibing Dai & Xun Liu, 2021. "Intolerance of COVID-19-Related Uncertainty and Negative Emotions among Chinese Adolescents: A Moderated Mediation Model of Risk Perception, Social Exclusion and Perceived Efficacy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-15, March.
    5. Lisa Woodland & Ava Hodson & Rebecca K. Webster & Richard Amlôt & Louise E. Smith & James Rubin, 2022. "A Qualitative Study Evaluating the Factors Affecting Families’ Adherence to the First COVID-19 Lockdown in England Using the COM-B Model and TDF," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-21, June.

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