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Social Distancing Compliance under COVID-19 Pandemic and Mental Health Impacts: A Population-Based Study

Author

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  • Sheng Zhi Zhao

    (School of Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China)

  • Janet Yuen Ha Wong

    (School of Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China)

  • Yongda Wu

    (School of Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China)

  • Edmond Pui Hang Choi

    (School of Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China)

  • Man Ping Wang

    (School of Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China)

  • Tai Hing Lam

    (School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

The success of public health measures for controlling the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic relies on population compliance. We analyzed compliance with social distancing and its associations with mental health. The Hong Kong COVID-19 Health Information Survey was conducted from 9–23 April 2020 on 1501 adults randomly sampled for landline telephone interviews ( n = 500) and online surveys ( n = 1001). Compliance with social distancing and staying-at-home, stress (Perceived Stress Scale-4), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorders-2), and depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-2) were collected. The associations between mental health symptoms and compliance were examined by multivariable regression models. Of the 1501 respondents (52.5% female, 72.3% aged 18–59 years), 74.2%, 72.7%, and 59.7% reported avoiding going out, going to crowded places, and attending social gatherings of more than four people, respectively. Most respondents had stayed-at-home for at least four of the past seven days (58.4%; mean 4.12, Standard Deviation 2.05). Adoption, perceived effectiveness, and perceived compliance with social distancing were associated with lower stress levels and less anxiety and depressive symptoms (all p < 0.01). However, more days stayed-at-home were associated with more depressive symptoms (adjusted Odds Ratio 1.09; 95%Confidence Interval 1.00, 1.18). The long-term psychological impact in relation to social distancing and staying-at-home requires further investigation.

Suggested Citation

  • Sheng Zhi Zhao & Janet Yuen Ha Wong & Yongda Wu & Edmond Pui Hang Choi & Man Ping Wang & Tai Hing Lam, 2020. "Social Distancing Compliance under COVID-19 Pandemic and Mental Health Impacts: A Population-Based Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-11, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6692-:d:413401
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    1. Thomas Abel & David McQueen, 2020. "The COVID-19 pandemic calls for spatial distancing and social closeness: not for social distancing!," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 65(3), pages 231-231, April.
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    2. Rasel Mia & Ahmed Imran KABIR & Abdullah Al Fahad, 2022. "Post-COVID Psychological Impact on Social Media Users: A Study on Twitter Users," Informatica Economica, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 26(4), pages 40-54.
    3. Sarracino, Francesco & Greyling, Talita & O'Connor, Kelsey J. & Peroni, Chiara & Rossouw, Stephanie, 2024. "Trust predicts compliance with COVID-19 containment policies: Evidence from ten countries using big data," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
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    8. Frauke von Bieberstein & Anna-Corinna Kulle & Stefanie Schumacher, 2022. "Large gender and age differences in hand disinfection behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic: Field data from Swiss retail stores," Papers 2210.09094, arXiv.org.
    9. Akira Teramura & Yumi Kimura & Kosuke Hamada & Yasuko Ishimoto & Masato Kawamori, 2021. "COVID-19-Related Lifestyle Changes among Community-Dwelling Older Adult Day-Care Users: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-11, December.
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    11. Md. Mokhlesur Rahman & Jean-Claude Thill, 2022. "Associations between COVID-19 Pandemic, Lockdown Measures and Human Mobility: Longitudinal Evidence from 86 Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-31, June.
    12. Henrike Schecke & Madeleine Fink & Alexander Bäuerle & Eva-Maria Skoda & Adam Schweda & Venja Musche & Hannah Dinse & Benjamin Maurice Weismüller & Sheila Moradian & Norbert Scherbaum & Martin Teufel, 2021. "Changes in Substance Use and Mental Health Burden among Women during the Second Wave of COVID-19 in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-12, September.
    13. Bong Gu Kang & Hee-Mun Park & Mi Jang & Kyung-Min Seo, 2021. "Hybrid Model-Based Simulation Analysis on the Effects of Social Distancing Policy of the COVID-19 Epidemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-17, October.
    14. Mateusz Grajek & Karolina Krupa-Kotara & Mateusz Rozmiarek & Karolina Sobczyk & Eliza Działach & Michał Górski & Joanna Kobza, 2022. "The Level of COVID-19 Anxiety among Oncology Patients in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-14, September.
    15. Ambra Gentile & Marianna Alesi & Barbara Caci, 2022. "Protective and Educational Effects of Physical Activity Practice on Mental Health in Young Age during COVID-19 Lockdown," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    16. Xiangting He & Tongguang Zang & Bingyu Sun & Konomi Ikebe, 2023. "Tourists’ Motives for Visiting Historic Conservation Areas in the Post-Pandemic Era: A Case Study of Kuanzhai Alley in Chengdu, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-16, February.
    17. Seulkee Heo & Miraj U. Desai & Sarah R. Lowe & Michelle L. Bell, 2021. "Impact of Changed Use of Greenspace during COVID-19 Pandemic on Depression and Anxiety," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-18, May.
    18. Daniel Deimel & Christine Firk & Heino Stöver & Nicolas Hees & Norbert Scherbaum & Simon Fleißner, 2022. "Substance Use and Mental Health during the First COVID-19 Lockdown in Germany: Results of a Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-15, October.
    19. Ozan Aksoy, 2022. "Within-family influences on compliance with social-distancing measures during COVID-19 lockdowns in the United Kingdom," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 6(12), pages 1660-1668, December.
    20. Winnie Lai Sheung Cheng & Enid Wai Yung Kwong & Regina Lai Tong Lee & Anson Chui Yan Tang & Lokki Lok Ki Wong, 2022. "Compliance with Standard Precaution and Its Relationship with Views on Infection Control and Prevention Policy among Chinese University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-13, April.

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