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. 2024 Aug-Sep;72(6):1707-1716.
doi: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2089843. Epub 2022 Jul 11.

COVID-19 risk perceptions, self-efficacy, and prevention behaviors among California undergraduate students

Adrienne R Lee  1   2 , Alex Gonzalez  1   3 , Jenna M Garcia  1 , Lourdes S Martinez  4 , Eyal Oren  1
Affiliations

COVID-19 risk perceptions, self-efficacy, and prevention behaviors among California undergraduate students

Adrienne R Lee et al. J Am Coll Health. 2024 Aug-Sep.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: COVID-19; College students; prevention behaviors; risk perception; self-efficacy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Perceived Risk of Contracting COVID-19 among California Undergraduate Students
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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