Implicit theories of health, consideration of future consequences, and engagement in health protective behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in China

Abstract

This research investigated how implicit theories of health and consideration of future consequences influence people’s engagement in health-protective behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Three hundred and ninety Chinese completed the study during the peak period of COVID-19 pandemic in China. Gender, education level, implicit theories of health, and consideration of future consequences were significant predictors of people’s engagement in health-protective behaviors. Consideration of future consequences mediated the effect of implicit (incremental) theories of health on people’s engagement in health-protective behaviors. Implications of the current research for promoting engagement in health-protective behaviors during pandemics of infectious diseases and directions for future research are discussed.