Exploring Predictors of Social Distancing Compliance in the United States during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE

Through the application of the Health Belief Model, this study sought to explore how relationships between perceived susceptibility, severity, and benefits of social distancing recommendations, as well as psychological factors, may impact compliance with COVID-19 social distancing recommendations in the United States.

METHODS

Between October and November 2020, a convenience sample of English-speaking adults in the United States completed an online, cross-sectional survey which included items assessing beliefs around threats (e.g., perceived susceptibility and severity), response efficacy (e.g., perceived benefits), psychological factors (e.g., stress and COVID-specific anxiety), and compliance with social distancing measures (e.g., avoiding social gatherings).

RESULTS

Social distancing compliance was positively associated with perceived susceptibility of COVID-19 (b = 0.42, < 0.05) and perceived benefits of social distancing recommendations (b = 0.81, < 0.01). No significant associations were found between perceived severity of COVID-19 ( = 0.38), general stress ( = 0.28), COVID-19-related anxiety ( = 0.12), and compliance.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 and perceived benefits of social distancing measures significantly increased compliance with social distancing recommendations in this convenience sample of U.S. adults.