ERIC Number: EJ1433105
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0744-8481
EISSN: EISSN-1940-3208
COVID-19 Risk Perceptions, Self-Efficacy, and Prevention Behaviors among California Undergraduate Students
Adrienne R. Lee; Alex Gonzalez; Jenna M. Garcia; Lourdes S. Martinez; Eyal Oren
Journal of American College Health, v72 n6 p1707-1716 2024
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.
Descriptors: Undergraduate Students, Student Attitudes, COVID-19, Pandemics, Risk, Self Efficacy, Prevention, Health Behavior, Student Characteristics, Age Differences, Gender Differences, Instructional Program Divisions
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A