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

Yuen Yu Chong, Wai Tong Chien, Ho Yu Cheng, Ka Ming Chow, Angelos P. Kassianos, Maria Karekla and Andrew Gloster
Additional contact information
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
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

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-11

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.

Keywords: COVID-19; adherence; public health; avoidance; coping (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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