Risk Perception, Self-efficacy, Lay Theories of Health, and Engagement in Health-Protective Behaviors Among Hospital Pharmacists During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: Risk perception is an important predictor of health-protective behaviors during pandemics. However, the underlying mechanism connecting risk perception and health-protective behaviors is not well understood. The current study investigates how risk perception predicts hospital pharmacists’ engagement in health-protective behaviors during the peak period of COVID-19 pandemic in China and the mediating effects of lay theories of health and self-efficacy. Method: A cross-sectional study on risk perception and engagement in health-protective behaviors was conducted among hospital pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. A total of 4121 hospital pharmacists completed the study. Results: Risk perception, self-efficacy, and lay theories of health were significant predictors of health-protective behaviors among pharmacists. Lay (entity) theories of health and self-efficacy mediated the relationship between risk perception and engagement in health-protective behaviors among hospital pharmacists. Conclusion: Risk perception, self-efficacy, and lay theories (entity versus incremental) of health significantly predicted hospital pharmacists’ engagement in health-protective behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in China.