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RESEARCH PRODUCT
Application of the Health Action Process Approach to Social Distancing Behavior During COVID‐19
Susette A. MoyersKyra HamiltonMartin S HaggerMartin S. HaggerJacob J. KeechJacob J. KeechStephanie R. Smithsubject
MaleSocial CognitionHealth Behavior050109 social psychologypandemiatModelsAdaptation PsychologicalPsychologycoping planningProspective StudiesApplied Psychologymedia_commonSocial distance05 social sciencesMiddle AgedSelf Efficacyhealth action process approachdual‐phase modelFemaleOriginal Article0305 other medical sciencePsychologyself-efficacySocial psychologyself‐efficacyAdultmedia_common.quotation_subjectPhysical DistancingSample (statistics)social cognitionModels PsychologicalomatoimisuusStructural equation modeling03 medical and health sciencesetäisyysSocial cognitionPerceptionHumansaction planning0501 psychology and cognitive sciencesAdaptationphysical distancingAgedSelf-efficacy030505 public healthintentioHealth action process approachsosiaalinen kognitioAustraliaCOVID-19Original ArticlesUnited Stateshealth action process approach [dual‐phase model]Action (philosophy)terveyskäyttäytyminenPsychologicaldual-phase modeldescription
Author(s): Hamilton, Kyra; Smith, Stephanie R; Keech, Jacob J; Moyers, Susette A; Hagger, Martin S | Abstract: BackgroundThis study examined the social cognition determinants of social distancing behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic in samples from Australia and the US guided by the health action process approach (HAPA).MethodsParticipants (Australia: Nn=n495, 50.1% women; US: Nn=n701, 48.9% women) completed HAPA social cognition constructs at an initial time-point (T1), and one week later (T2) self-reported their social distancing behavior.ResultsSingle-indicator structural equation models that excluded and included past behavior exhibited adequate fit with the data. Intention and action control were significant predictors of social distancing behavior in both samples, and intention predicted action and coping planning in the US sample. Self-efficacy and action control were significant predictors of intention in both samples, with attitudes predicting intention in the Australia sample and risk perceptions predicting intention in the US sample. Significant indirect effects of social cognition constructs through intentions were observed. Inclusion of past behavior attenuated model effects. Multigroup analysis revealed no differences in model fit across samples, suggesting that observed variations in the parameter estimates were relatively trivial.ConclusionResults indicate that social distancing is a function of motivational and volitional processes. This knowledge can be used to inform messaging regarding social distancing during COVID-19 and in future pandemics.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-10-02 | Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being |