The role of planning and action control on avoiding exposure to pollution by using masks

Abstract

Background: Beijing is one of the most air-polluted mega cities in the world with over 100 haze days every year. Wearing face masks to avoid exposure to air pollution becomes necessary for the local peoples in the winter season. The aim of the current study was to explore the volitional determinants of the use of filtering facepiece respirators. Methods: In a longitudinal survey, 164 young adults from Beijing, China, completed assessments at baseline (Time 1) and two weeks (Time 2) and four weeks later (Time 3). Planning, action control and face masks wearing were measured at three time points. A latent curve growth model (LCGM) was specified to reflect possible pathways of influence. Findings: Planning, action control and face masks wearing linearly increased with time. The slope of action control mediated between slopes of planning and face masks wearing, with the standardized mediated effect is 0.88, 95% CI [0.66, 1.20]. Discussion: Results support a mechanism with a focus on volitional process, in which action control was a more proximal predictor of self-protective face mask wearing.