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Gerretsen P, Kim J, Brown EE, Quilty LC, Wells S, Caravaggio F, Song J, Sanches M, Agic B, Pollock BG, Graff-Guerrero A. Determinants of social distancing adherence. Front Public Health 2023; 10:977857. [PMID: 36711412 PMCID: PMC9879577 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.977857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Governments and public health authorities across many jurisdictions implemented social (physical) distancing measures to contain the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Adherence to these measures is variable and likely influenced by various factors. This study aimed to 1) identify the individual sociodemographic, COVID-19 and social distancing related, and psychological determinants of social distancing adherence, and 2) explore regional differences in social distancing adherence in the United States (U.S.) and English-speaking Canada based on each region's discrepant response to social distancing restrictions. Methods A web-based repeated cross-sectional survey was conducted in 4,942 English-speaking participants from the four most populous U.S. states, specifically New York, California, Texas, and Florida, and Canada (www.covid19-database.com). The study was conducted at two timepoints, from May 1 to 5, 2020 (n = 1,019, Canadian participants only) and from July 6 to 10, 2020 (n = 3,923). Separate univariate models were computed for individual sociodemographic, COVID-19 and social distancing related, and psychological determinants of social distancing adherence. To determine the total variance explained, a univariate analysis including all of the determinants was performed. Regional differences in social distancing were compared between the four U.S. states and Canada, and between the U.S. as a whole and Canada. Results Adherence to social distancing was higher in May (mean = 4.4/5.0±0.7) compared to July (mean = 4.3/5.0±0.7) [t (4940) = 6.96, p < 0.001], likely a reflection of relaxing restrictions. There were no regional differences in adherence. Sociodemographic, COVID-19 and social distancing related, and psychological determinants explained 10, 36, and 23% of the variance of social distancing adherence, respectively. Higher perceived seriousness of COVID-19 [β (SE) = 0.39 (0.01), p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.22], lower risk propensity [β (SE) = -0.15 (0.01), p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.06], germ aversion [β (SE) = 0.12 (0.01), p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.03], age [β (SE) = 0.01 (0.00), p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.02], and greater social support [β (SE) = 0.03 (0.00), p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.02] had the largest effects on social distancing adherence. Conclusion Public service initiatives to emphasize the serious consequences of infection and targeted interventions toward certain sociodemographic groups, such as younger adults and vulnerable individuals in greater need of social support, may help enhance the public's adherence to social distancing measures during subsequent waves of COVID-19 and future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Gerretsen
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Department of Psychiatry, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,*Correspondence: Philip Gerretsen ;
| | - Julia Kim
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Eric E. Brown
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Department of Psychiatry, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lena C. Quilty
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Department of Psychiatry, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Samantha Wells
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Department of Psychiatry, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, CAMH, Toronto, ON, Canada,Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Fernando Caravaggio
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Department of Psychiatry, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jianmeng Song
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Marcos Sanches
- Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, CAMH, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Branka Agic
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,Provincial System Support Program (PSSP), CAMH, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bruce G. Pollock
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Department of Psychiatry, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ariel Graff-Guerrero
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Department of Psychiatry, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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HADIZADEH-TALASAZ FATEMEH, MOHAMMADZADEH FATEMEH, DELSHAD NOGHABI ALI. Predictors of the Social Distancing Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic using Protection Motivation Theory in Iran: A cross sectional study. JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 2022; 63:E35-E43. [PMID: 35647365 PMCID: PMC9121673 DOI: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2022.63.1.2228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Background Social distancing is a key behavior to minimize Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections. Since the change of behavior is the only way to prevent this pandemic, this study aimed to predict the social distancing behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic using protection motivation theory (PMT). Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted through a convenience sampling method on 796 individuals over 15 years old from urban and rural areas of different cities in Iran during 2020. The data were collected online using demographic characteristics form, PMT and social distancing behaviors questionnaires. Afterward, the obtained data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 16) through linear correlation coefficient and hierarchical regression tests. Results The Mean ± SD score of social distancing behaviors was obtained at 4.42 ± 0.31. The results of the hierarchical linear regression model showed that after adjusting the effect of socio-demographic variables, self-efficacy (Beta = 0.238, P < 0.001) was the strongest predictor of social distancing behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by intention (Beta = 0.233, P < 0.001) and perceived severity (Beta = 0.083, P = 0.028). PMT constructs and intention was able to predict 40% of social distancing behaviors in total. Conclusions In the prevalence of infectious diseases, individuals differ in adherence to social distancing behaviors. The PMT was a useful framework for prediction social distancing behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this theory can be used as a framework in designing educational programs to increase self-efficacy and encourage individuals to observe social distancing behaviors as a result.
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Affiliation(s)
- FATEMEH HADIZADEH-TALASAZ
- Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Social Development & Health Promotion Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
- Correspondence: Fatemeh Hadizadeh-Talasaz, Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Social Development & Health Promotion Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran - E-mail:
| | - FATEMEH MOHAMMADZADEH
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Health, Social Development and Health Promotion Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
| | - ALI DELSHAD NOGHABI
- Social Development and Health Promotion Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
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