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What Predicts Adherence to Governmental COVID-19 Measures among Danish Students?

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  • Gabriele Berg-Beckhoff

    (Unit for Health Promotion Research, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark
    Unit for Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Hospital South West Jutland, 5000 Odense, Denmark)

  • Julie Dalgaard Guldager

    (Unit for Health Promotion Research, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark
    Research Department, University College South Denmark, 6100 Haderslev, Denmark)

  • Pernille Tanggaard Andersen

    (Unit for Health Promotion Research, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark)

  • Christiane Stock

    (Unit for Health Promotion Research, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark
    Institute of Health and Nursing Science, Berlin Institute of Health, Freie Universität Berlin, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany)

  • Signe Smith Jervelund

    (Department of Public Health, Section for Health Services Research, University of Copenhagen, 1014 Copenhagen, Denmark)

Abstract

Knowledge on compliance with governmental recommendations in combating the spread of COVID-19 in different groups is important to target efforts. This study investigated the adherence to the governmental implemented COVID-19 measures and its predictors in Danish university students, a not-at-risk group for COVID-19 mortality and normally characterized by many social contacts. As part of the COVID-19 International Student Wellbeing Study, a survey on socio-demographic situation, study information, living arrangements, lifestyle behaviors, stress, questions about COVID-19 infection and knowledge and concern about COVID-19 infection was sent via email to relevant university students in Denmark in May, 2020 ( n = 2.945). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was employed. Our results showed that around 60% of the students were not concerned about COVID-19, while 68% reported that they followed governmental measures. The main facilitators for following the recommendations were older age, concern about COVID-19 and depression, while barriers were living in a student hall, being physical active or reporting mental stress. Only 9% of the variation in adhering to governmental recommendations could be explained by the analyzed predictors. Results may inform health communication. Emotionally appealing information rather than knowledge-based information may be more effective in motivating students to follow COVID-19 measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabriele Berg-Beckhoff & Julie Dalgaard Guldager & Pernille Tanggaard Andersen & Christiane Stock & Signe Smith Jervelund, 2021. "What Predicts Adherence to Governmental COVID-19 Measures among Danish Students?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:1822-:d:498860
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Schwartz, Carolyn E. & Sprangers, Mirjam A. G., 1999. "Methodological approaches for assessing response shift in longitudinal health-related quality-of-life research," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 48(11), pages 1531-1548, June.
    2. Yanmengqian Zhou & Erina L. MacGeorge & Jessica Gall Myrick, 2020. "Mental Health and Its Predictors during the Early Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic Experience in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-19, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Marco D’Addario & Roberta Adorni & Patrizia Steca & Roberto Capelli & Francesco Zanatta & Francesco Fattirolli & Cristina Franzelli & Cristina Giannattasio & Andrea Greco, 2022. "Associations between Lifestyle Changes and Adherence to COVID-19 Restrictions in Older Adults with Hypertension," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-15, June.
    2. Juvalta, Sibylle & Speranza, Camilla & Robin, Dominik & El Maohub, Yassmeen & Krasselt, Julia & Dreesen, Philipp & Dratva, Julia & Suggs, L. Suzanne, 2023. "Young people's media use and adherence to preventive measures in the “infodemic”: Is it masked by political ideology?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).
    3. Julia Ballmann & Stefanie M. Helmer & Gabriele Berg-Beckhoff & Julie Dalgaard Guldager & Signe Smith Jervelund & Heide Busse & Claudia R. Pischke & Sarah Negash & Claus Wendt & Christiane Stock, 2022. "Is Lower Trust in COVID-19 Regulations Associated with Academic Frustration? A Comparison between Danish and German University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-11, February.
    4. Badr K. Aldhmadi & Rakesh Kumar & Ramaiah Itumalla & Bilesha Perera, 2021. "Depressive Symptomatology and Practice of Safety Measures among Undergraduate Students during COVID-19: Impact of Gender," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-9, May.
    5. Jens Fyhn Lykke Sørensen & Maiken Christiansen, 2022. "The Role of Economic Stress, Health Concerns, and Institutional Trust in Supporting Public Protests against COVID-19 Lockdown Measures in Denmark," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-18, December.

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