Conceptual replication and extension of health behavior theories' predictions in the context of COVID‐19: Evidence across countries and over time
Authors: Abakoumkin Georgios , Tseliou Eleftheria , McCabe Kira O. , Lemay Edward P. , Stroebe Wolfgang , Agostini Maximilian , Bélanger Jocelyn J. , Gützkow Ben , Kreienkamp Jannis , Kutlaca Maja , VanDellen Michelle R. , Abdul Khaiyom Jamilah Hanum , Ahmedi Vjollca , Akkas Handan , Almenara Carlos A. , Atta Mohsin , Bagci Sabahat Cigdem , Basel Sima , Berisha Kida Edona , Bernardo Allan B. I. , Buttrick Nicholas R. , Chobthamkit Phatthanakit , Choi Hoon‐Seok , Cristea Mioara , Csaba Sára , Damnjanovic Kaja , Danyliuk Ivan , Di Santo Daniela , Douglas Karen M. , Enea Violeta , Faller Daiane Gracieli , Fitzsimons Gavan , Gheorghiu Alexandra , Gómez Ángel , Grzymala‐Moszczynska Joanna , Hamaidia Ali , Han Qing , Helmy Mai , Hudiyana Joevarian , Jeronimus Bertus F. , Jiang Ding‐Yu , Jovanović Veljko , Kamenov Željka , Kende Anna , Keng Shian‐Ling , Kieu Tra Thi Thanh , Koc Yasin , Kovyazina Kamila , Kozytska Inna , Krause Joshua , Kruglanski Arie W. , Kurapov Anton , Lantos Nóra Anna , Lesmana Cokorda Bagus Jaya , Louis Winnifred R. , Lueders Adrian , Malik Najma Iqbal , Martinez Anton , Mehulić Jasmina , Milla Mirra Noor , Mohammed Idris , Molinario Erica , Moyano Manuel , Muhammad Hayat , Mula Silvana , Muluk Hamdi , Myroniuk Solomiia , Najafi Reza , Nisa Claudia F. , Nyúl Boglárka , O’Keefe Paul A. , Olivas Osuna Jose Javier , Osin Evgeny N. , Park Joonha , Pica Gennaro , Pierro Antonio , Rees Jonas , Reitsema Anne Margit , Resta Elena , Rullo Marika , Ryan Michelle K. , Samekin Adil , Santtila Pekka , Sasin Edyta , Schumpe Birga Mareen , Selim Heyla A. , Stanton Michael Vicente , Sultana Samiah , Sutton Robbie M. , Utsugi Akira , van Breen Jolien Anne , Van Lissa Caspar J. , Van Veen Kees , Vázquez Alexandra , Wollast Robin , Yeung Victoria Wai‐lan , Zand Somayeh , Žeželj Iris Lav , Zheng Bang , Zick Andreas , Zúñiga Claudia , Leander N. Pontus 
Published: December 2023

Virus mitigation behavior has been and still is a powerful means to fight the COVID‐19 pandemic irrespective of the availability of pharmaceutical means (e.g., vaccines). We drew on health behavior theories to predict health‐protective (coping‐specific) responses and hope (coping non‐specific response) from health‐related cognitions (vulnerability, severity, self‐assessed knowledge, efficacy). In an extension of this model, we proposed orientation to internal (problem‐focused coping) and external (country capability) coping resources as antecedents of health protection and hope; health‐related cognitions were assumed as mediators of this link. We tested these predictions in a large multi‐national multi‐wave study with a cross‐sectional panel at T1 (Baseline, March‐April 2020; N = 57,631 in 113 countries) and a panel subsample at two later time points, T2 (November 2020; N = 3097) and T3 (April 2021; N = 2628). Multilevel models showed that health‐related cognitions predicted health‐protective responses and hope. Problem‐focused coping was mainly linked to health‐protective behaviors (T1‐T3), whereas country capability was mainly linked to hope (T1‐T3). These relationships were partially mediated by health‐related cognitions. We conceptually replicated predictions of health behavior theories within a real health threat, further suggesting how different coping resources are associated with qualitatively distinct outcomes. Both patterns were consistent across countries and time.