Risk perception, protective behavior, and transit ridership during COVID-19: Longitudinal insights from Seoul Metropolitan Area, Republic of Korea

The COVID-19 pandemic heightened individuals’ risk perception and increased their protective behaviors to minimize unnecessary contact with others. While existing studies have explored behavioral changes in response to the pandemic, few have examined the dynamic interplay between risk perception, protective behaviors, and contextual factors, largely due to the limitations of short-term or cross-sectional data. This study used 80 repeated cross-sectional surveys conducted throughout the pandemic to track the risk perception and protective behavior of Koreans. We adopted a one-way ANOVA model and a conceptual SEM to examine the differences in risk perception and protective behavior across various socio-demographic groups. The variables considered were individuals’ risk perception, protective behaviors, and the external environment such as the number of confirmed cases and government quarantine measures for exploring their associations with public transit usage. The results indicate that individuals' risk perception is significantly influenced by their surrounding environment. Individuals with heightened risk perception are likely to adopt preventive measures, which in turn impact their public transit ridership. We also provide compelling evidence on how risk perception and protective behavior related to COVID-19 evolved over time, influenced not only by public health policies but also by individuals’ socio-demographic characteristics. Last, this study empirically demonstrates the occurrence of psychic numbing resulting from repeated exposure to a persistent threat. These findings underscore the importance of adaptive public health strategies and targeted communication to address the varying perceptions across different socio-demographic groups, contributing to a more resilient public transit system. This study highlights the importance of adaptive transit operations, sustained safety measures, and continuous public engagement during future pandemics. • COVID-19 heightened risk perception, prompting increased individual protective behavior. • Repeated cross-sectional surveys captured shifts in Koreans' risk perception over time. • A model based on social cognitive theory assessed group differences in perception. • Environmental factors shaped risk perception, influencing transit use amid psychic numbing. • Findings stress adaptive strategies for resilient public transit during pandemics.