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BMC Geriatrics

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Open Access 01-12-2022 | COVID-19 | Research

Predicting hand washing, mask wearing and social distancing behaviors among older adults during the covid-19 pandemic: an integrated social cognition model

Authors: Yanping Duan, Borui Shang, Wei Liang, Zhihua Lin, Chun Hu, Julien Steven Baker, Yanping Wang, Jiali He

Published in: BMC Geriatrics | Issue 1/2022

Abstract

Background

Older adults are at a higher risk from COVID-19. Individual preventive behaviors including frequent hand washing, mask wearing, and social distancing play important roles in reducing the transmission of COVID-19 in the community. This study aimed to identify the determinants of three preventive behaviors of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic by using an Integrated Social Cognition Model.

Methods

Using a prospective study design, 516 Chinese older adults from Hubei province of China (mean age = 67.55 years, SD = 6.60, 57.9% females) completed two online questionnaire surveys. The demographics, social cognition constructs (motivational self-efficacy, risk perception, attitude, subjective norm, health knowledge, intention, volitional self-efficacy, planning, action control) and three preventive behaviors were measured during the first-wave online survey from 18 May 2020 to 7 June 2020. One month later, three preventive behaviors were measured again during the second-wave online survey. Data were analyzed by structural equation modelling.

Results

Models showed attitude, motivational self-efficacy and subjective norm were consistent predictors of intention, motivational self-efficacy was a consistent predictor of volitional self-efficacy, planning and volitional self-efficacy were consistent predictors of action control, and health knowledge was a consistent predictor of behaviors across all three preventive behaviors. In addition, mediating relationships were found in the model of hand washing behavior. In particular, planning (β = .109, p = .042) and action control (β = .056, p = .047) mediated between volitional self-efficacy and hand washing respectively. Action control also mediated between planning and hand washing (β = .087, p = .044). Moreover, the inclusion of past behaviors in three models attenuated most of the structural relations.

Conclusions

The current study’s findings basically supported the Integrated Social Cognition Model and identified key modifiable determinants of preventive behaviors. Based on this model, future interventions aiming to promote COVID-19 preventive behaviors among older adults are warranted.

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Title: Predicting hand washing, mask wearing and social distancing behaviors among older adults during the covid-19 pandemic: an integrated social cognition model
Authors: Yanping Duan
Borui Shang
Wei Liang
Zhihua Lin
Chun Hu
Julien Steven Baker
Yanping Wang
Jiali He
Publication date: 01-12-2022
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: COVID-19
Published in: BMC Geriatrics / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2318
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-02785-2

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