The influence of offline and online local community engagement and collective efficacy on COVID-19 self-efficacy: a study of six prefectures in Japan

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted people’s lives, leading to social, economic, and physical challenges. In such circumstances, possessing a sense of agency in navigating and overcoming the pandemic has proven crucial. This study presents COVID-19 self-efficacy as an indicator of one’s perceived control over the situations caused by COVID-19, and examines how it is influenced by individuals’ local community engagement. Drawing on communication infrastructure theory, the study investigated the effects of individuals’ connectedness to their neighbourhood storytelling network, their engagement with the local community affairs on social media, and their collective efficacy on COVID-19 self-efficacy. A structural equation model was employed to analyse the data collected via an online survey across six prefectures in Japan. The study found that higher integrated connectedness to the neighbourhood storytelling network was associated with increased engagement in local activities on social media and higher COVID-19 self-efficacy. Additionally, beliefs in informal social control within the neighbourhood were positively linked to COVID-19 self-efficacy. The study highlights the critical role of local community networks and collective efficacy in shaping individuals’ self-efficacy in the face of a significant disaster like the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the research uncovered significant variations in neighbourhood engagement, social media use, and collective efficacy across different residential communities and age groups. Notably, social media engagement demonstrated a pronounced effect on social cohesion and trust among the youngest age group (20–39), indicating the increasing importance of online platforms in shaping young individuals’ perceptions towards their neighbours. These findings underscore the significance of local community engagement in enhancing individuals’ COVID-19 self-efficacy, thereby contributing to more resilient and prepared communities in the face of health crises.