Study on the Relationship between Leisure Activity Participation and Wearing a Mask among Koreans during COVID-19 Crisis: Using TPB Model

Impact of leisure satisfaction on perceived risk of infectious disease during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from new worker classes

Introduction

This study examines how job market changes affect individuals' leisure choices and satisfaction, focusing on worker classes that have undergone daily life changes (e.g., economic and social activities) due to the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods

A population-based cross-sectional study design was employed. South Korean workers aged 20-59 years answered an online survey administered from September 14 to October 4, 2021. Ultimately, 764 responses were used in the analysis. The measures used in this study consisted of factors affecting infectious disease risk perception and leisure satisfaction among the six new worker classes that emerged during the pandemic, according to socio-demographic status.

Results

The results showed that among male participants, social, emotional, physical, environmental, and educational factors of leisure satisfaction were more strongly affected, with higher social, physical, and interpersonal relationships being factors in the perception of infectious disease risk. Among female participants, the interpersonal relationship factor of perceived risk was significantly affected by the social, emotional, and educational factors of leisure satisfaction. Interpersonal relationships, affected leisure satisfaction among members of Classes 1-3, who experienced no change in pay. However, for the members of Class6 who experienced a decrease in pay, the economic factor negatively affected leisure satisfaction and played a pivotal role in our findings.

Conclusion

This study verified the risk factors that inhibit leisure satisfaction among new worker classes that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the psychological health of people suffering pandemic-related financial constraints was affected, as they experienced a lower quality of life owing to reduced leisure activities and satisfaction.

Cases and context: Mask-related behaviors among U.S. trail visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic

The challenge of simultaneously providing outdoor recreation opportunities while protecting the public from SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 transmission, as well as future pandemics, remains foremost on managers' minds. Safe spaces and cultures are paramount for managers and visitors alike. Recommended protective measures against COVID-19 included physically distancing 1.8 m (six-feet) between parties and mask-wearing when distancing is not possible. Adoption of these protective measures is relatively unknown but essential to inform recreation management and planning through future health crises. Such adoption is likely influenced by both the pandemic context and site context, particularly related to visitor density. An observational study assessed mask-wearing behaviors among trail walkers on multiple trails in the United States from November 2020 through May 2021. Trained observers identified if walking groups were prepared to mask or had masks correctly worn as well as if encounters were compliant with the 1.8 m recommendations. Data collected across seven U.S. states enabled comparisons of mask-related behaviors across sites as well as considerations to: the influence of the pandemic context in terms of cases and vaccination rates, mask mandates, and trail density. Results from nearly 3000 encounters revealed significant variance in visible masks, low compliance of mask-wearing in encounters less than 1.8 m, significant influence of both COVID-19 cases and vaccination rates on mask wearing at half the sites, and no impact of state-level mask mandates when controlling for cases and vaccinations. Integrating public health data can inform predictions of compliant behaviors, or lack thereof, and needs exist to advance a safety culture.

Predicting the Protective Behavioral Intentions for Parents with Young Children Living in Taipei City and New Taipei City Using the Theory of Planned Behavior for Air Polluted with PM2.5

While studies on the damaging effects of PM2.5 air pollution are abundant, studies seeking to understand the factors that influence human behaviors for the avoidance of exposure to PM2.5 are lacking. Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) can be used to investigate the effects of Attitudes (AT), Subjective Norms (SN), and Perceived Behavioral Controls (PBC) in the Behavioral Intentions (BI) of parents with young children against exposure to PM2.5. Questionnaires, based on the TPB used to predict BI, were distributed to 610 parents in Taipei City and New Taipei City. Our results revealed that the AT of both groups had a significant positive predictive effect on their PBC and BI. While the SN of the Taipei group affected BI directly, there was no significant effect on the BI from the SN of the New Taipei group. Using path analysis, Taipei City and New Taipei City groups had different BI paths: All five hypotheses are statistically significant and form four paths in the Taipei City group. While only four hypotheses in the New Taipei City group formed three paths and no path for SN-BI. Both groups formed behaviors that were based on the SN/PBC around them, which ultimately contributed to the BI of their protective behaviors.

Application of behavioral change theory and models on COVID-19 preventive behaviors, worldwide: A systematic review

Objective:

This systematic review aimed to assess the global application of behavioral change theory and models on COVID-19 preventive behaviors.

Methods:

This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses procedure. Databases such as PubMed/MIDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, EMB ASE, World Health Organization libraries, and Google Scholar were used to search all published articles in the area of application of behavioral change theory and model on COVID-19 preventive behavior until October 1, 2022. Studies published in another language other than English were excluded. Two independent reviewers did the article selection and quality check. A third reviewer asked if any disagreement were found.

Result:

Seventeen thousand four hundred thirty-six total articles were retrieved from all sources after the removal of duplicated articles and those not evaluating the outcome of interest were excluded. Finally, 82 articles done using behavioral change theory and model on COVID-19 preventive behaviors were included. The health belief model (HBM) and theory of planned behavior (TPB) were most commonly used in COVID-19 preventive behaviors. The constructs of most behavioral theories and models were significantly associated with COVID-19 preventive behaviors such as hand washing, face mask use, vaccine uptake, social isolation, self-quarantine, social distance, and use of sanitizers.

Conclusion:

This systematic review summarizes comprehensive evidence on the application of behavioral change theory and model on COVID-19 preventive behaviors globally. A total of seven behavioral change theories and models were included. The HBM and TPBs were most commonly used for COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Therefore, the application of behavioral change theory and models is recommended for developing behavioral change interventional strategies.

The matching effect in persuasive communication about lockdown

Scientific literature about persuasion has shown that the effectiveness of persuasive communication may depend on the match between the affective or cognitive contents of the message and the affective [(Need for Affect (NFA)] or cognitive [Need for Cognition (NFC)] orientation of the recipient. The present work aims to contribute to studying this effect by considering the context of health-related communication during the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Specifically, we aim to demonstrate that, when the message is characterized by affective and cognitive contents having the same (congruent message) or different valence (incongruent message), the attitude toward the target (i.e., a new lockdown) will be guided by the valence of the contents matching the individual affective/cognitive orientation. A total of 1,003 participants took part in a 2 (Cognitive content message: Positive vs. Negative) × 2 (Affective content message: Positive vs. Negative) factorial design and answered an online questionnaire. Results show that people with high levels of NFA and low levels of NFC report attitudes toward lockdown consistent with the valence of the affective contents. Conversely, attitudes of people with high levels of NFC and low levels of NFA were not influenced by contents that matched their orientation (i.e., cognitive).

A cross-national and longitudinal analysis of handwashing and its predictors during the COVID-19 pandemic in France and Belgium

BACKGROUND

Using a longitudinal design, we investigate how the adherence to handwashing and its underlying socio-psychological predictors evolved over time during the COVID-19 pandemic and under distinct circumstances (e.g. when the crisis was more acute or chronic).

METHOD

We collected data (N = 753) in Belgium and France at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic when the crisis was at its peak (April 2020), and almost a year later (February 2021), when the outbreak was more manageable.

RESULTS

Regression models suggest that the compliance with handwashing and its pattern of underlying predictors remained remarkably stable over time despite the variations in contextual factors such as the severity of the health crisis and the stringency of health measures. As such, the findings also highlight the robustness of the models that predict it, namely the Theory of Planned Behavior. The intentions to perform the behavior, the perceived control over it, and being part of the (para)medical field were among the strongest predictors.

CONCLUSIONS

In practice, the stability of the underlying factors suggests a set of action levers that can be used in communication campaigns aimed at fostering its adherence throughout the pandemic.

Remote work as a new normal? The technology-organization-environment (TOE) context

The COVID-19 pandemic has established remote work as the new normal. However, the factors that influence the effectiveness of remote work are unexplored. Moreover, the relationships between remote work and job performance and emotional exhaustion are under-investigated. This study addresses these gaps by investigating the factors that influence the effectiveness and outcomes of remote work. The technology-organisation-environment (TOE) framework and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) are used as a theoretical lens to examine the internal and external factors that affect remote work and work-life balance. An online cross-sectional survey of knowledge workers engaged in remote work in Hong Kong indicates that both external (technological competence, government support) and internal (work flexibility, attitude, perceived behavioural control) factors are significant predictors of successful remote work. Furthermore, remote work is positively associated with job performance but has no association with emotional exhaustion. These findings suggest that to ensure a successful transition to the new normal, governments and organisations should provide technical support to employees engaged in remote work. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

Does Temporal Stability Moderate Reasoned Action Approach Relations With Covid-19 Preventive Behaviors?

Background

Preventive behaviors continue to play an important role in reducing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Purpose

This study aimed to apply the reasoned action approach (RAA) to predict Covid-19 preventive intentions and behavior and to test whether temporal stability moderates relations between RAA constructs and behavior.

Methods

A representative sample of UK adults (N = 603) completed measures of RAA variables (i.e., experiential attitudes, instrumental attitudes, injunctive norms, descriptive norms, capacity, autonomy and intention) in relation to six Covid-19 preventive behaviors (i.e., wearing face coverings, social distancing, hand sanitizing, avoiding the three Cs [closed spaces, crowded places, and close contacts], cleaning surfaces, and coughing/sneezing etiquette) at baseline (December 2020) and after 1 month. Self-reported behavior was assessed at baseline and after 1 and 2 months.

Results

The RAA was predictive of Covid-19 preventive intentions at time 1 and time 2; instrumental attitudes, descriptive norms, and capability were the strongest predictors at each time point. The RAA also predicted subsequent behavior across time points with intention, descriptive norms, and capability the strongest/most consistent predictors. Temporal stability moderated a number of RAA–behavior relationships including those for intention, descriptive norms, and capability. In each case, the relationships became stronger as temporal stability increased.

Conclusions

Health cognitions as outlined in the RAA provide appropriate targets for interventions to promote Covid-19 preventive intentions and behavior. Moreover, given that continued performance of Covid-19 preventive behaviors is crucial for reducing transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the results highlight the need for consistent messaging from governments and public health organizations to promote positive intentions and maintain preventive behavior.

Mask-wearing intentions on airplanes during COVID-19 - Application of theory of planned behavior model

The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the air transport industry, forcing airlines to take measures to ensure the safety of passengers and crewmembers. Among the many protective measures, mask mandate onboard the airplane is an important one, but travelers' mask-wearing intentions during flight remain uninvestigated especially in the US where mask use is a topic of on-going debate. This study focused on the mask use of airline passengers when they fly during COVID-19, using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) model to examine the relationship between nine predicting factors and the mask-wearing intention in the aircraft cabin. A survey instrument was developed to collect data from 1124 air travelers on Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk), and the data was statistically analyzed using structural equation modeling and logistic regression. Results showed that attitude, descriptive norms, risk avoidance, and information seeking significantly influenced the travelers' intention to wear a mask during flight in COVID-19. Group analysis further indicated that the four factors influenced mask-wearing intentions differently on young, middle-aged, and senior travelers. It was also found that demographic and travel characteristics including age, education, income, and travel frequency can be used to predict if the airline passenger was willing to pay a large amount to switch to airlines that adopted different mask policies during COVID-19. The findings of this study fill the research gap of air travelers' intentions to wear a mask when flying during a global pandemic and provide recommendations for mask-wearing policies to help the air transport industry recover from COVID-19.

Prioritizing Protection by Face Masks during COVID-19: The Application of Customer Open Innovation

This research investigated consumers’ purchase intention and preferences for face masks during the COVID-19 global pandemic. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) was used as the theoretical framework. Empirical data (with 215 valid responses) were collected nationwide from the United States via Qualtrics Panel services. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling, and multi-group comparison (chi-square difference) were used to estimate construct validity and test the proposed hypotheses and theoretical framework. Results indicated that consumers’ purchase intention towards face masks was predicted by consumers’ attitude towards functional attributes, subjective norm, and perceived behavior control. But, in contrast with previous research, purchase intention was not predicted by attitudes towards aesthetic attributes and attitude towards social attributes. Purchase intention positively influenced consumers’ actual purchase behavior towards face masks. Workplace association moderated the path from social attitudes to purchase intention. Based on these results, theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Determinants of restaurant consumers' intention to practice COVID-19 preventive behavior: an application of the theory of planned behavior

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of knowledge about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control on behavioral intentions to practice COVID-19 preventive behaviors using the theory of planned behavior (TPB).

SUBJECTS/METHODS

A total of 519 restaurant customers' responses was collected in this study through an online self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed on socio-demographic factors. One-way analysis of variance and t-test were conducted to determine differences in the constructs from the TPB according to age and sex. The hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling (SEM).

RESULTS

SEM revealed the positive effect of knowledge about COVID-19 on attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in restaurants. Attitude, subjective norm, behavior intention, and knowledge positively affected COVID-19 preventive behavior intentions in restaurants.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study confirmed that the TPB is helpful in elucidating the determinants of consumers' intention to practice COVID-19 preventive behavior in restaurants. These findings can help policy makers and professionals provide material for further public health interventions and inform them about awareness-raising, guidelines, and health education programs.

The Theory of Planned Behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic: A comparison of health behaviors between Belgian and French residents

The COVID-19 pandemic presents a global crisis and authorities have encouraged the population to promote preventive health behaviors to slow the spread of the virus. While the literature on psychological factors influencing health behaviors during the COVID-19 is flourishing, there is a lack of cross-national research focusing on multiple health behaviors. The present study overcomes this limitation and affords a validation of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a conceptual framework for explaining the adoption of handwashing and limitation of social contacts, two health behaviors that highly differ in their nature. Specifically, we compare TPB model on these two protective behaviors among people living in Belgium (N = 3744) and France (N = 1060) during the COVID-19 sanitary crisis. Data were collected from March 18 until April 19, 2020, which corresponds to the spring lockdown and the first peak of the pandemic in these countries. Results indicated that more positive attitudes, greater social norms, increased perceived control and higher intentions were related to higher adherence to handwashing and limitation of social contacts, for both Belgian and French residents. Ultimately, we argued that the TPB model tends to manifest similarly across countries in explaining health behaviors, when comparing handwashing and limitation of social contacts among individuals living in different national contexts.

Individual-Level Heterogeneity in Mask Wearing during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Malaysia

Wearing a face mask has been a key approach to contain or slow down the spread of COVID-19 in the ongoing pandemic. However, there is huge heterogeneity among individuals in their willingness to wear face masks during an epidemic. This research aims to investigate the individual heterogeneity to wear face masks and its associated predictors during the COVID-19 pandemic when mask-wearing was not mandatory. Based on a survey of 708 Malaysian adults and a multivariate least-squares fitting analysis, the results reveal a significant variance among individuals in wearing masks, as 34% of the individual adults did not always wear masks in public places. Female individuals, individuals who wash their hands more frequently, and those who reported more availability of personal protective equipment were more likely to practice mask-wearing. The identification of less-compliant groups of mask wearing has critical implications by enabling more specific health communication campaigns.

Preventive Behaviors During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Associations With Perceived Behavioral Control, Attitudes, and Subjective Norm

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious and potentially fatal infectious disease that has swept the globe. To reduce the spread, it is important to engage in preventive behaviors recommended by health authorities, such as washing your hands, wearing a face mask, and social distancing. Aim: In the present study, we draw from the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to examine the associations between perceived behavioral control, attitudes, and subjective norm and whether people engage in eight different preventive behaviors. Methods: For each of the preventive behaviors (washing hands; using hand sanitizer; not touching your face; social distancing; wearing a face mask; disinfecting surfaces; coughing in your elbow; staying home if sick), we conducted separate logistic regressions predicting whether the participants (N = 2,256; age range = 1898 years) reported engaging in the behavior from their perceived behavioral control, attitudes, and subjective norm. Results: We found that perceived behavioral control, attitudes, and subjective norm had independent significant associations with each preventive behavior. Moderation analyses revealed that for most behaviors the associations with perceived behavioral control were stronger for older adults than for younger adults. Limitation: The present study was cross-sectional; future longitudinal studies and interventions are needed to disentangle directionality. Conclusion: Our findings suggest several ways to increase adherence to health behaviors that reduce the spread of coronavirus and other infectious diseases.

Impacto de la introducción del cubrebocas contra el COVID-19: una revisión narrativa

El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar el impacto de la introducción del cubrebocas contra el COVID-19: qué características tiene y cómo se ha introducido alrededor del mundo. Para ello, se realizó una revisión de la literatura disponible en una base de datos especializada, PUBMED, la cual se ajustó a las directrices enmarcadas en la metodología PRISMA . Se definieron ecuaciones de búsqueda bajo los términos MeSH: humans, COVID-19, severe acute respiratory síndrome coronavirus 2, masks y equipment design, utilizando el carácter booleano AND. Con estas ecuaciones se buscaron artículos publicados en 2020, recuperando 676 registros en total, eligiendo 82 que abordan el tema de interés e incluyendo en la revisión final 49 artículos que cumplían con todos los criterios de inclusión y exclusión definidos. Los resultados sugieren que la introducción de mascarillas tuvo un impacto positivo para reducir el riesgo de COVID-19 y el uso inadecuado del cubrebocas es un factor de riesgo.

Perceived Crowding and Risk Perception According to Leisure Activity Type during COVID-19 Using Spatial Proximity

This study aimed to investigate the difference in people's perceived crowding and risk perception during leisure activities using the criteria of spatial proximity during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 is a viral respiratory tract disease that poses an increasing risk of infection through person-to-person transmission in a confined space or close proximity to an infected person. It is thus crucial to maintain a sufficiently safe distance from others during leisure activities. In this study, measures concerning leisure activity spaces and the current status of leisure activities were investigated. Data were gathered from a total of 1078 participants via an online survey conducted from 26 to 29 October 2020. Frequency analysis was performed to investigate the sample characteristics and exploratory factor analysis was performed to analyze the validity of the measurement tools. Results revealed that people's perceived crowding of leisure activity spaces directly influenced their participation in leisure activities. Regarding age, those in their 20s were more aware of congestion and their risk perception was higher than those in their 40s and 50s. It was found that people perceived cultural and artistic activities to be dangerous as they often take place as part of tourism and leisure activities and amidst crowds. However, their high-risk perception indirectly influenced their participation patterns, making it difficult to enjoy leisure activities. To lower the risk perception of leisure activity spaces, it was necessary to secure more safe distancing than current regulations require. Future research must conduct a longitudinal investigation by objectively stratifying the degree of perceived crowding.