COVID-19 in college: Risk perception and planned protective behavior

Abstract

Objective: The Theory of Planned Behavior has been applied to COVID-19 protective behaviors, but evidence suggests this theory may be less predictive over time and less valid in individualistic societies. The current study applied this theory among American college students as vaccines became available and added perceived risk. Participants: 242 undergraduate students at two universities. Methods: Participants completed an online survey and analyses were conducted using PROCESS. Results: Perceived risk was indirectly related to protective behavior via intentions which were significantly impacted by positive attitudes, descriptive norms, and perceived behavioral control. Conclusions: Even within an individualistic culture and when vaccines were becoming available, the Theory of Planned Behavior predicts protective behaviors. Including risk perception also furthers understanding of this theory by identifying one factor related to norms and perceived behavioral control. These results may inform the design of interventions designed to increase compliance with pandemic-related policies and other positive behaviors.

Keywords:

• COVID-19
• intention
• risk

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 of America and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of Loyola University Chicago and the University of New England.

Funding

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

Preregistration

Hypotheses and planned analyses were preregistered at: https://osf.io/5zv2e/?view_only=ddd89636ccd544b9837c165d105c31e0.

Data availability statement

Data are available at: https://osf.io/yph7r/?view_only=ed233bd8c3b1487e8679fa7b731d6eff