Abstract
Aims: The study examines the factors related to the appraisal and adherence of the individual and public health preventive measures. Background: The effectiveness of the measures battling the pandemic was largely determined by the voluntary compliance of the public. Objectives: This study aimed to identify psychological perception factors related to the appraisal of individual measures and endorsement of public health measures during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic among Chinese living in Canada. Methods: A convenience sample of 656 participants completed an online survey. Nonparametric Kruskal Wallis tests were used to compare COVID perception variables (e.g., perceived susceptibility, fear, perceived severity, and information confusion) among different sociodemographic subgroups. Bootstrapped regression models were used to assess the association of these variables with outcome measures. Results: Compared to their counterpart groups, lower perceived susceptibility was reported by adults 65 years and older (p = .002) or retired (p = .015); greater fear was reported by females (p = .044), those with lower education (p = .001), and Mainland Chinese (p = .033); greater perceived severity was reported by individuals with lower education and smaller household size (ps = .003). Perceived susceptibility was inversely associated with individual measure appraisal (p = .032). Perceived severity was positively associated with individual measure appraisal (p = .005) and public measure endorsement (p < .001). Conclusion: Individual behaviour measure appraisal was predicted by lower perceived susceptibility and higher perceived severity, whereas public health measure endorsement was related to higher perceived severity. These results inform the public and the policymakers about the critical factors that affect the preventive measure appraisal and endorsement.
Highlights
Since the World Health Organization (WHO) declaredCOVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020, it has swept across the world
This study aimed to identify psychological perception factors related to the appraisal of individual measures and endorsement of public health measures during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic among Chinese living in Canada
Bootstrapped regression models were used to assess the association of these variables with outcome measures. Compared to their counterpart groups, lower perceived susceptibility was reported by adults 65 years and older (p = .002) or retired (p = .015); greater fear was reported by females (p = .044), those with lower education (p = .001), and Mainland Chinese (p = .033); greater perceived severity was reported by individuals with lower education and smaller household size
Summary
Since the World Health Organization (WHO) declaredCOVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020, it has swept across the world. Individuals have been urged to comply with recommended preventive behavioural measures such as individual personal hygiene (e.g., handwashing, disinfection, wearing a face mask), along with the public health measures such as social distancing, school closure, and quarantine. The effectiveness of these measures largely depends on the voluntary compliance of the public. Identifying the factors that contribute to the positive appraisal and active endorsement of the preventive health measures in this population will well inform the development of effective epidemiological regulation policies to battle the virus. The effectiveness of the measures battling the pandemic was largely determined by the voluntary compliance of the public
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