title: Avoiding exposure to air pollution by using filtering facemask respirators: An application of the health action process approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Adherence to the use of filtering facemask respirators on hazy days to reduce exposure to air pollution is examined with the aim of uncovering psychological mechanisms that may be responsible for individual differences in motivation and behavior.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a longitudinal survey, 164 young adults from Beijing, China, completed assessments at baseline (Time 1), 2 weeks (Time 2), and 4 weeks later (Time 3). Self-efficacy, risk perception, and outcome expectancies were measured along with intention at Time 1, planning and action control at Time 2, and facemask use at Time 3. A structural equation model was specified to test theory-implied pathways of influence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Self-efficacy and risk perception jointly predicted behavioral intention at Time 1. Planning and action control at Time 2 jointly predicted behavior at Time 3, serving as parallel mediators between intention (Time 1) and facemask use (Time 3). The model explained 19.5% and 30.2% of the variance in intention and behavior, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results support theory-based psychological mechanisms, with a focus on planning and action control, which might be influential in the adoption and maintenance of self-protective facemask wearing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Science and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin.
authors.forename: Guangyu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Peking University.
authors.forename: Yiqun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Peking University.
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Ke
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Science and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Knoll
authors.affiliation: Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lonsdale
authors.affiliation: Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University.
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schwarzer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000068476:Beijing; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008397:Masks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D020377:Self Efficacy; D055815:Young Adult