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. 2020 Dec;12(4):1244-1269.
doi: 10.1111/aphw.12231. Epub 2020 Oct 2.

Application of the Health Action Process Approach to Social Distancing Behavior During COVID-19

Kyra Hamilton  1 , Stephanie R Smith  1 , Jacob J Keech  1   2 , Susette A Moyers  3 , Martin S Hagger  3   4
Affiliations

Application of the Health Action Process Approach to Social Distancing Behavior During COVID-19

Kyra Hamilton et al. Appl Psychol Health Well Being. 2020 Dec.

Abstract

Background: This 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).

Methods: Participants (Australia: N = 495, 50.1% women; US: N = 701, 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.

Results: Single-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.

Conclusion: Results 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.

Keywords: action planning; coping planning; dual-phase model; health action process approach; physical distancing; self-efficacy; social cognition.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Proposed model illustrating effects among health action process approach (HAPA) constructs excluding past behavior.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Proposed model illustrating effects among health action process approach (HAPA) constructs including past behavior.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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