COVID-19 Experiences and Social Distancing: Insights From the Theory of Planned Behavior

• Published in: American journal of health promotion 2021-11, Vol.35 (8), p.1095-1104
• Main Authors: Frounfelker, Rochelle L., Santavicca, Tara, Li, Zhi Yin, Miconi, Diana, Venkatesh, Vivek, Rousseau, Cecile
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Attitudes; Campaigns; Confirmatory factor analysis; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Discrimination; Distancing behaviour; Fear & phobias; Health promotion; Humans; Infections; Intention; Measurement; Path analysis; Perceived control; Perceived Discrimination; Physical Distancing; Prevention programs; Quantitative Research; SARS-CoV-2; Social distance; Social distancing; Social norms; Surveys and Questionnaires; Theory of planned behavior
• ISSN: 0890-1171; 2168-6602
• DOI: 10.1177/08901171211020997

Purpose: The objective of this study is to identify the relationship between COVID-19 experiences, perceived COVID-19 behavioral control, social norms and attitudes, and future intention to follow social distancing guidelines. Design: This is a cross-sectional study. Setting: Participants responded to an on-line survey in June 2020. Subjects: The study included 3,183 residents within Quebec, Canada aged 18 and over. Measures: Measures include perceived COVID-19 related discrimination, fear of COVID-19 infection, prior exposure to COVID-19, and prior social distancing behavior. Participants self-reported attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and perceived norms related to social distancing. Finally, we measured social distancing behavioral intention. Analysis: We evaluated a theory of planned behavior (TPB) measurement model of social distancing using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The association between COVID-19 perceived discrimination, fear of infection, previous social distancing behavior, exposure to COVID-19, TPB constructs and behavioral intentions to social distance were estimated using SEM path analysis. Results: TPB constructs were positively associated with intention to follow social distancing guidelines. Fear of COVID-19 infection and prior social distancing behavior were positively associated with behavioral intentions. In contrast, perceived discrimination was negatively associated with the outcome. Associations between fear of COVID-19, perceived COVID-19 discrimination and behavioral intentions were partially mediated by constructs of TPB. Conclusions: COVID-19 prevention efforts designed to emphasize positive attitudes, perceived control, and social norms around social distancing should carefully balance campaigns that heighten fear of infection along with anti- discrimination messaging.