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Individual and COVID-19-Specific Indicators of Compliance with Mask Use and Social Distancing: The Importance of Norms, Perceived Effectiveness, and State Response

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  • Jordan A. Gette

    (Department of Psychological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79410, USA)

  • Angela K. Stevens

    (Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA)

  • Andrew K. Littlefield

    (Department of Psychological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79410, USA)

  • Kerri L. Hayes

    (American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, Providence, RI 02914, USA)

  • Helene R. White

    (Center of Alcohol Studies, Sociology Department, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA)

  • Kristina M. Jackson

    (Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA)

Abstract

COVID-19 is a global pandemic that has resulted in widespread negative outcomes. Face masks and social distancing have been used to minimize its spread. Understanding who will engage in protective behaviors is crucial for continued response to the pandemic. We aimed to evaluate factors that are indicative of mask use and social distancing among current and former college students prior to vaccine access. Participants (N = 490; 67% female; 60% White) were current and former U.S. undergraduate college students. Perceived effectiveness and descriptive norms regarding COVID-19 safety measures, COVID-19-related news watching and seeking, state response timing to stay-at-home mandates, impulsivity-like traits, affect (mood), and demographic variables were assessed. Results found that greater perceived effectiveness indicated increased personal compliance within and across behaviors. Greater norms related to compliance within behaviors (e.g., indoor norms related to indoor compliance). Increased perceived stress, anxiety, and negative affect indicated greater compliance. More positive affect was associated with less compliance. Being non-White, compared to White ( p < 0.001), and female, compared to male ( p < 0.001), were associated with greater compliance. Overall, early implementation of stay-at-home orders, exposure to COVID-19-related news, and increased perceived effectiveness are crucial for health safety behavior compliance. Findings are important for informing response to health crises, including COVID-19.

Suggested Citation

  • Jordan A. Gette & Angela K. Stevens & Andrew K. Littlefield & Kerri L. Hayes & Helene R. White & Kristina M. Jackson, 2021. "Individual and COVID-19-Specific Indicators of Compliance with Mask Use and Social Distancing: The Importance of Norms, Perceived Effectiveness, and State Response," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8715-:d:616857
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ioulia Solomou & Fofi Constantinidou, 2020. "Prevalence and Predictors of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Compliance with Precautionary Measures: Age and Sex Matter," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-19, July.
    2. Andrey Simonov & Szymon Sacher & Jean-Pierre Dube & Shirsho Biswas, 2020. "The Persuasive Effect of Fox News: Non-Compliance with Social Distancing During the COVID-19 Pandemic," Working Papers 2020-67, Becker Friedman Institute for Research In Economics.
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    Cited by:

    1. Krista M. Milich & Natalie Fisher & Gisela Sobral, 2024. "Effective public health messaging for university students: lessons learned to increase adherence to safety guidelines during a pandemic," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Min Wang & Caiyue Zhao & Jing Fan, 2021. "To Wear or Not to Wear: Analysis of Individuals’ Tendency to Wear Masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-15, October.
    3. Porismita Borah & Kyle Lorenzano & Anastasia Vishnevskaya & Erica Austin, 2022. "Conservative Media Use and COVID-19 Related Behavior: The Moderating Role of Media Literacy Variables," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-13, June.

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