Behavioral measures to fight COVID-19: An 8-country study of perceived usefulness, adherence and their predictors

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243523
• Publication Date: 2020-12-07T22:11:45Z
• Authors: Jürgen Margraf; Julia Brailovskaia; Silvia Schneider
• Keywords: Risk Perception; Pandemic

Behavioral measures, such as the wearing of facemasks and maintaining distance to other people, have been central in fighting COVID-19 pandemic will continue be important curbing its spread. We therefore investigated their perceived usefulness, adherence predictors representative online samples eight countries (France, Germany, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, U.K., U.S.). Of 7,658 participants, 77.4% rated governmental measures (highest: lowest: France) useful 91.7% reported them. Adherence was lowest Russia where people felt particularly left alone not well supported, U.S. governments showed ambivalent attitudes towards measures. The highest with very high mortality (U.K., or positively government communication (Germany). Female gender, higher age, belonging a risk group, being affected physically mentally, perception guided by interests feeling informed level positive mental health predicted both outcomes, while economically negatively outcomes. Country-specific results are considered light protection motivation theory planned behavior together potential ways improve active participation population. Overall, we recommend authorities stress that each individual can contribute control situation public communication. Moreover, they should emphasize unconscious infection older individuals younger importance physical activity for especially during pandemic.