Barriers and facilitators of adherence to social distancing recommendations during COVID-19 among a large international sample of adults

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239795
• Publication Date: 2020-10-07T17:32:58Z
• Authors: Adina Coroiu; Chelsea Moran; Tavis Campbell; Alan C. Geller
• Keywords: Social distance; Prosocial Behavior; Distancing

Social distancing measures (e.g., avoiding travel, limiting physical contact with people outside of one's household, and maintaining a 1 or 2-metre distance between self others when in public, depending on the country) are primary strategies used to prevent transmission SARS-Cov-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Given there is no effective treatment vaccine for COVID-19, it important identify barriers facilitators adherence social inform ongoing future public health campaigns.This cross-sectional study was conducted online convenience sample English-speaking adults. The survey administered over course three weeks (March 30 -April 16, 2020) were well-enforced North America Europe. Participants asked complete assessing socio-demographic characteristics, psychological constructs, including motivations engage distancing, prosocial attitudes, distress, behaviors. Descriptive (mean, standard deviation, percentage) inferential statistics (logistic regression) describes endorsement rates various motivations, recommendations, predictors adherence.Data collected from 2013 adults living primarily Most frequently endorsed (or facilitators) included "I want protect others" (86%), myself" (84%), I feel sense responsibility our community" (84%). against barriers) "There many walking streets my area" (31%), have friends family who need me run errands them" (25%), don't trust messages government provides about pandemic" (13%), stressed am alone isolation" (13%). Adherence recommendations ranged 45% "working home remotely" 90% "avoiding crowded places/non-essential travel", men younger individuals (18-24 years) showing lower compared women older individuals.This found vary behaviour, none surveyed behaviours perfect adherence. Strongest wanting self, feeling community, being able work/study remotely; strongest having needed help running socializing order avoid lonely. Future interventions improve should couple individual-level targeting key identified herein, institutional interventions. Public campaigns continue highlight compassionate attitudes towards distancing.