Perceived protective behavioral changes in Chinese residents post-dynamic zero-COVID policy lifting: a...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The dynamic zero-COVID policy in China significantly impacted public behavior.
• Understanding behavioral shifts after policy changes is crucial for public health.
• Early stage behavioral adjustments post-policy lifting require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate perceived changes in protective behaviors among Chinese residents after the dynamic zero-COVID policy was lifted.
• To explore factors associated with these perceived behavioral changes, including demographics, health perceptions, emotions, and coping styles.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 798 Chinese residents from December 16-25, 2022.
• Data collected included demographics, COVID-19 perceptions, emotions, coping styles, and perceived protective behavior changes.
• Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis identified factors associated with overall perceived behavioral change.

Main Results:

• Participants reported a significant increase in protective behaviors (mean score 61.38) post-policy lifting.
• Avoiding social gatherings showed the highest increase (71.3%), while maintaining social distance showed the highest decrease (17.5%).
• Worry, perceived severity, negative coping, positive coping, female sex, and age were significantly associated with behavioral changes, with worry being the most predictive.

Conclusions:

• Chinese residents perceived an increase in protective behaviors following the policy change, with variations across specific actions.
• Worry emerged as the strongest predictor of perceived behavioral change, followed by coping styles and perceived severity.
• Findings inform targeted communication strategies and psychological support for health behavior adjustments.