The Effectiveness of Training in Integrated Psychological Traits and Skills to Enhance Preventive Behaviors against Corona Virus 2019 Infection among the Youths in Community

Abstract

Purpose: This experimental research aimed to study the effectiveness of training in psychological traits and skills towards behaviors of preventing coronavirus 2019.

Methods: The research sample was 120 youths in a community residing in two northern provinces, using a 2 by-2 factorial design. The treatment variables included 1) training in psychological traits and 2) skill training for preventing coronavirus 2019. Outcomes were measured into three phrases: pre-training, immediate post-training, and two months after post-training. Research instruments were rating scale and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was employed for hypothesis testing. Result: Study results found that 1) For the immediate post-training phrase, the youths who trained in both psychological traits and skills for preventing Corona Virus demonstrated higher mean scores of future orientation and self-control on preventing Corona Virus, positive attitudes towards Corona Virus prevention behaviors, and preventive behaviors against Corona Virus than those who trained only in skills for preventing Corona Virus. Additionally, 2) For two months after the post-training phrase, the youths who trained in both psychological traits and skills for preventing Corona Virus had higher mean scores of preventive behaviors against Corona Virus than those who trained only in skills for preventing Corona Virus. This clearly revealed the effectiveness of the trainings in this research. Conclusion: This study suggests strategies, measures, or policies from the research findings to governmental agencies, particularly those involved in the community such as subdistrict administrative organization and municipality, advocating the training in both integrated psychological traits and skills to enhance preventive behaviors against the coronavirus for the youths.