Abstract
Background: The differential approach made by various national governments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic triggered differences in the number of recorded daily cases and deaths. This prompted the researchers to explore the interaction of and invariances in values, beliefs, and norms on COVID-19 pandemic preventive behavior among Malaysian and Filipino undergraduates.
Method: The study followed the survey research methods using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire whose items were adapted from literature, data were collected from 143 Malaysian and 157 Filipino undergraduates from two state universities between November and December 2020. Data were analyzed through partial least squares-structural equation modeling using SmartPLS.
Results: Values, beliefs, and norms predicted COVID-19 pandemic preventive behavior, values predicted beliefs, and beliefs predicted norms on COVID-19 pandemic preventive behavior. Results further revealed the existing invariance in all variables under study between Malaysian and Filipino participants.
Conclusion: The study confirms the resemblance of COVID-19 pandemic preventive behavior with pro-environmental behavior. It provided empirical evidence on the differential vulnerability to the same threat due to variations in values, beliefs, and norms on COVID-19 pandemic preventive behavior, as demonstrated by Malaysian and Filipino undergraduates. The researchers reflected on individual behavior and collective vulnerability and the call for synergy.
Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, Values, Beliefs, Norms, Malaysia, Philippines
Recommended Citation
Canlas I, Karpudewan M.
The same threat, differential vulnerability: Invariances in antecedents to COVID-19 pandemic preventive behavior among Malaysian and Filipino undergraduates.
J Health Res.
2024;
38(2):-.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56808/2586-940X.1064
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