The DOI matches its Crossref record; 16 of the 16 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
The effects of perceived social norms on handwashing behaviour in students
Open accessAbstract
Handwashing is widely considered the most effective method of preventing the spread of infectious illness. Exploring the determinants of handwashing is vital to the development of interventions to increase this behaviour. A survey based on Social Norms Theory assessed handwashing frequency and perceptions of peer handwashing in 255 university students. Participants reported their own handwashing frequency, and how often they thought their peers washed their hands in particular circumstances, to determine whether misperceptions around handwashing exist, and whether these influence the behaviour of individuals. Gender was found to be a significant determinant of handwashing frequency as females reported washing their hands significantly more often than males. Participants also believed they washed their hands significantly more frequently than their peers. Perceived peer handwashing frequency was significantly correlated with participants' own behaviour. This effect was seen in overall handwashing and in food, waste and illness-related hand washing. These results suggest perceived social norms around hand washing have a clear association with individual behaviour. Future research might test the effectiveness of a social norms intervention in other settings which carry an increased risk of infection spread.
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Using social and behavioural science to support COVID-19 pandemic response
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Metadata
- Authors
- Dickie, R., Rasmussen, S., Cain, R., Williams, L., & MacKay, W.
- Affiliations
- University of Strathclyde (GB)
- University Hospital Crosshouse (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Rasmussen, Susan
- Venue
- Psychology, Health & Medicine
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2017-06-07
- Volume
- 23
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 154-159
- ISSN
- 1354-8506 (ISSN-L)
- 1465-3966
- OpenAlex
- W2622269754
- Cited by
- 69
- References
- 16
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 4.21
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- Licence
- cc-by-nc-nd
- Locations
- Psychology Health & Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- The UWS Academic Portal (University of the West of Scotland) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Strathprints: The University of Strathclyde institutional repository (University of Strathclyde) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Infection Control in Healthcare
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Food Safety and Hygiene
- Keywords
- hand washing, perceived social norms, social norms theory, university students, hand washing frequency, peer perception, gender differences, infection control, social norms interventions
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Female, Hand Disinfection, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Students, Universities, Health Behavior, Young Adult, Social Norms
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