Factors Influencing the Adoption of COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors in Chile

Nicolás C. Bronfman, Paula B. Repetto, Pamela C. Cisternas and Javiera V. Castañeda
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Nicolás C. Bronfman: Engineering Sciences Department, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 7500973, Chile
Paula B. Repetto: Research Center for Integrated Disaster Risk Management ANID/FONDAP/15110017, Santiago 7820436, Chile
Pamela C. Cisternas: Research Center for Integrated Disaster Risk Management ANID/FONDAP/15110017, Santiago 7820436, Chile
Javiera V. Castañeda: Department of Psychology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 10, 1-13

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic forced people worldwide to implement a series of preventive hygiene and distancing measures that have significantly altered their way of life. This study examined an adapted version of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) on adopting preventive behavior against COVID-19. Data was collected using a web survey completed by 1004 college students a few weeks after the first wave of infections in Chile. Our findings show that the subjective norm was the strongest predictor of adopting preventive behaviors, followed by the knowledge level and perceived behavioral control. Contrary to expectations, we found no evidence that an attitude towards preventive action predicted actual adoption of preventive behavior against COVID-19. However, knowledge and social norms play a significant role. We discuss implications for effective risk communication.

Keywords: preventive behaviors; theory of planned behavior; subjective norms; COVID-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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