Impact of Risk Perception about COVID-19 on the Coping Behavior of the Elderly:Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy

摘要

Objective:This study aimed to explore the mediating role of self-efficacy on the relationship between risk perception and the coping behavior of the elderly during the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic.Methods:The study employed the convenience sampling method to select a total of 550 elderly from Chongqing,Chengdu and Luohe in China.A questionnaire composed of the perception scale,self-efficacy scale,and coping behavior scale was used to collect data.Results:Risk perception exerted a significantly direct effect on positive coping behavior and avoidant coping behavior.Moreover,it positively predicted the components of self-efficacy.In turn,self-efficacy positively predicted the components of positive coping behavior,which confirm that it plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between risk perception and positive coping behavior.Moreover,self-efficacy negatively predicted the components of avoidant coping behavior,which confirms that it also plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between risk perception and avoidant coping behavior.Conclusion:A simple mediation model revealed that self-efficacy partially mediated the direct and indirect effects of risk perception on coping behavior.Based on the results,the study recommended several countermeasures and suggestions for enhancing the positive coping behavior of the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic.