Adolescents’ Motivations to Engage in Social Distancing during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Associations with Mental and Social Health

• DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/jd2kq
• Publication Date: 2020-04-06T01:45:20Z
• Authors: Benjamin Oosterhoff; Cara palmer; Jenna Wilson; Natalie Shook
• Keywords: Social distance; Belongingness; Social Isolation; Distancing; Pandemic

Purpose: Reducing the spread of infectious disease during coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic prompted recommendations for individuals to limit physical contact with others and engage in social distancing. Less is known about why youth are engaging distancing how these motivations connected their engagement, mental health, health. Using a large sample adolescents from across United States, this study examined adolescents’ distancing, engagement Methods: Data were collected March 29th 30th 2020, two-weeks after COVID-19 was declared national emergency States. The consisted 683 recruited using media. A series multiple linear regressions unique associations among behaviors, anxiety symptoms, depressive burdensomeness, belongingness. Results: most commonly reported concerned responsibility not wanting get sick. Motivations concerning state or city lockdowns, parental rules, associated greater whereas no alternatives less Engagement significantly However, specific differentially Conclusions: Understanding may help inform strategies increase reduce pathogen transmission, improve health pandemics.