2.2.1. Protective Behavior Changes Since COVID-19

This scale measured to what extent middle school students changed their behaviors since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were asked if they had/were "decreased outdoor activities", "reduced frequency of social gatherings", "more careful about cleanliness", and "increased time at home". This measurement consisted of four items which were rated on a five-point Likert-type scale. Response options for all items ranged from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). All responses were summed with higher scores indicating greater behavioral changes since COVID-19. Cronbach's α of behavioral changes since COVID-19 was 0.70 in this study (*M* = 16.85; *SD* = 2.82; ranging from 4 to 20).
