Coping with COVID-19 using contact tracing mobile apps

Abstract

PurposeTo cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, contact tracing mobile apps (CTMAs) have been developed to trace contact among infected individuals and alert people at risk of infection. To disrupt virus transmission until the majority of the population has been vaccinated, achieving the herd immunity threshold, CTMA continuance usage is essential in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. This study seeks to examine what motivates individuals to continue using CTMAs.Design/methodology/approachFollowing the coping theory, this study proposes a research model to examine CTMA continuance usage, conceptualizing opportunity appraisals (perceived usefulness and perceived distress relief), threat appraisals (privacy concerns) and secondary appraisals (perceived response efficacy) as the predictors of individuals' CTMA continuance usage during the pandemic. In the United States, an online survey was administered to 551 respondents.FindingsThe results revealed that perceived usefulness and response efficacy motivate CTMA continuance usage, while privacy concerns do not.Originality/valueThis study enriches the understanding of CTMA continuance usage during a public health crisis, and it offers practical recommendations for authorities.