COVID-19 risk perceptions, self-efficacy, and prevention behaviors among California undergraduate students

Abstract

Objective

College students play a major role in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the viral agent responsible for COVID-19. We aim to understand risk perceptions, self-efficacy, and adoption of prevention behaviors in this population to inform prevention strategies.

Participants

Undergraduate students attending a large public university

Methods

A convenience sample of students were surveyed (April–June 2020). Participants self-reported risk perceptions, perceived risk of contracting COVID-19, self-efficacy, and prevention behavior engagement.

Results

A total of 1,449 students were included in the analysis. The majority were women (71.2%) and aged 18–24 (86.6%). Freshmen had the lowest risk and threat perceptions, as did men; men also had lower self-efficacy. Women engaged significantly more in prevention behaviors compared to men.

Conclusions

Perceived risk of contracting COVID-19 was low, but overall adoption of prevention behaviors was high due to local mandates. Freshmen men were identified as having the greatest need for changing perceptions and behaviors.

Keywords:

• College students
• COVID-19
• prevention behaviors
• risk perception
• self-efficacy

Acknowledgments

We thank the University Media and Communications for their support in the recruitment of undergraduate students from the university.

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of the local university.

Funding

No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.