Theory of planned behavior constructs as mediators of relations between personality traits, trust, and COVID-19 preventive behavior adherence

Wollast, Robin, Phillips, Joseph B., Hagger, Martin S., Hamilton, Kyra, Ann, DeSmet and Luminet, Olivier 2025. Theory of planned behavior constructs as mediators of relations between personality traits, trust, and COVID-19 preventive behavior adherence. Social Science & Medicine , 118531. 10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118531 Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Objective: Dispositional constructs (personality traits, generalized beliefs) are associated with health behaviors, but few studies test potential mechanisms. The current study tested an integrated theoretical model specifying indirect effects of personality traits (conscientiousness, extraversion) and socio-political beliefs (trust in political leaders and health authorities) on initial participation, and subsequent trajectories, in COVID-19 preventive behaviors (handwashing, physical and social distancing, mask wearing) mediated by social cognition constructs (attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control) and intentions. Methods: Belgian residents (N=1762) completed measures of dispositional and social cognition constructs and intentions for COVID-19 preventive behaviors on an initial occasion and self-reported their engagement in the behaviors on four follow-up occasions from April to July 2021. Model predictions were tested using latent growth curve modeling. Results: Indirect positive effects of conscientiousness and trust in politicians and health authorities, and indirect negative effects of extraversion, on health behavior intentions and initial behavior participation as mediated through social cognition (with minor exceptions). These accounted for non-trivial variance in each outcome. Contrary to predictions, model constructs did not account for variance in behavioral trajectories. Conclusion: The current analysis lends support for the model across behaviors, adding to an evidence base of potentially malleable determinants of COVID-19 preventive actions and a candidate mechanism. How to sustain adherence to COVID-19 preventive actions remains an open question in need of further research. Replication studies in other national contexts and other public health crises are warranted.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Schools > Cardiff Law & Politics Schools > Department of Politics and International Relations (POLIR) Research Institutes & Centres > Wales Governance Centre (WGCES)
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0277-9536
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	8 September 2025
Date of Acceptance:	29 August 2025
Last Modified:	09 Sep 2025 13:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/180992

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