THE EFFECT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC RISK PERCEPTION ON STUDENTS' BEHAVIOURAL INTENTION TOWARDS RETURNING HOME FOR STUDYING

Abstract

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, it is more difficult for international students to complete their study abroad. There has been little discussion concerning international students' perspectives regarding their study plan during this health-related crisis. Based on the frameworks of risk perception theory and the extended Theory of Planned Behaviour, this study highlights returning home for studying as a health-protective behaviour stemming from international students' perceptions of COVID-19 risk. In other words, overseas students' behavioural intention is scrutinized through the lens of the risk perception. An online survey with random sampling method was administered to the Vietnamese students who were studying in the UK in February and March 2021. A total of 588 responses were collected for data analysis. The results reveal that international students' cognitive and affective risk perceptions are positively related to their attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control over returning home for studying. There also exists a significant influence of both cognitive and affective risk perceptions on the students’ behavioural intention. Attitude, subject norms, and perceived behavioural control are considered significant mediators between risk perception and behavioural intention.