Predicting physical distancing in the context of COVID-19: A test of the extended parallel process model among Canadian adults.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test the extended parallel process model (EPPM) in the context of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among a nationally representative sample of Canadians Intentions to follow government recommendations, physical distancing, and fear control responses (i e , negative and defensive reactions) were predicted using EPPM (perceived threat and efficacy) and demographic variables (age, gender, and education) Data were collected using a cross-sectional online survey through a third-party market research company The sample was composed of 1,055 adults (M age = 48 82, SD = 16 66;51 2% female) One multiple regression per dependent variable (i e , intentions to follow government recommendation, physical distancing, and fear control responses) was conducted Certain two-way and three-way interactions were also included in the models Older adults, females, and more educated individuals generally had higher intentions, engaged in more physical distancing, and had lower scores for fear control responses Also, consistent with the EPPM, the overall pattern suggested that people with high scores for both perceived threat and efficacy had the most positive profile (high intentions and physical distancing and low fear control) Perceived efficacy was a particularly strong predictor in analyses We recommend that public health interventions target males, younger people, and those who are less educated Furthermore, it is recommended that interventions increase both perceived threat and efficacy (especially efficacy) Although the design was cross-sectional, it was necessary to expedite the study in a time when it is sorely needed Future research should confirm our findings using experimental designs (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) Abstract (French) Le but de cette etude etait de tester le modele de processus parallele etendu (EPPM) dans le contexte du nouveau coronavirus (COVID-19) parmi un echantillon representatif de Canadiens Les intentions de suivre les recommandations du gouvernement, la distanciation physique et les reactions de controle de la peur (c -a-d , les reactions negatives et defensives) ont ete predites a l aide de l EPPM (menace et efficacite percues) et de variables demographiques (age, sexe et education) Les donnees ont ete recueillies a l aide d une enquete transversale en ligne realisee par une societe tierce d etude de marche L echantillon etait compose de 1 055 adultes (Age median = 48,82, E -T = 16,66;51,2 % de femmes) Une regression multiple par variable dependante (c -a-d , les intentions de suivre les recommandations du gouvernement, la distanciation physique et les reactions de controle de la peur) a ete effectuee Certaines interactions bidirectionnelles et tridirectionnelles ont egalement ete incluses dans les modeles Les adultes plus ages, les femmes et les individus les plus instruits avaient generalement des intentions plus elevees, respectaient davantage la distanciation physique et affichaient des scores plus faibles au niveau des reactions de controle de la peur En outre, conformement a l EPPM, le modele global suggerait que les personnes affichant des scores eleves pour la menace et l efficacite percues avaient le profil le plus positif (intentions elevees, plus grand respect de la distanciation physique et reactions de controle de la peur moindres) L efficacite percue etait un facteur predictif particulierement fort dans les analyses Nous recommandons que les interventions en sante publique ciblent les hommes, les jeunes et les moins instruits En outre, il est recommande que les interventions augmentent a la fois la menace et l efficacite percues (en particulier l efficacite) Bien que la conception etait transversale, il etait necessaire d accelerer l etude a un moment ou elle est cruellement necessaire Les recherches futures devraient confirmer nos conclusions en utilisant des modeles experimentaux (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement Public Significance Statement -It is important to understand why some people have been (or have not been) physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to create effective public health messaging to slow virus transmission This study showed that males, younger individuals, people who are less educated, and individuals with low threat and efficacy (degree to which people believe they can follow recommendations and whether those recommendations will work) perceptions may be reacting more defensively to messaging and may be physical distancing less Public health messaging should increase efficacy and threat perceptions (especially efficacy), and target people in the abovementioned groups (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)