Handwashing adherence during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study based on protection motivation theory.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

The associations between the number of COVID-19 cases/deaths and subsequent uptake of protective behaviors may reflect cognitive and behavioral responses to threat-relevant information.

Objective

Applying protection motivation theory (PMT), this study explored whether the number of total COVID-19 cases/deaths and general anxiety were associated with cross-situational handwashing adherence and whether these associations were mediated by PMT-specific self-regulatory cognitions (threat appraisal: perceived vulnerability, perceived illness severity; coping appraisal: self-efficacy, response efficacy, response costs).

Method

The study (#NCT04367337) was conducted in March-September 2020 among 1256 adults residing in 14 countries. Self-reports on baseline general

SUBMITTER: Szczuka Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9677570 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature