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

Kyra Hamilton; Stephanie R Smith; Jacob J Keech; Susette A Moyers; Martin S Hagger

doi:10.1111/aphw.12231

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

Journal article

Peer reviewed

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

Kyra Hamilton, Stephanie R Smith, Jacob J Keech, Susette A Moyers and Martin S Hagger

Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, Vol.12(4), pp.1244-1269

2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12231

PMCID: PMC7537318

PMID: 33006814

Appears in COVID-19 Research

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https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12231View

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Abstract

coping planning

action planning

self‐efficacy

social cognition

physical distancing

dual‐phase model

health action process approach

Original

COVID-19

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.

Details

Title: Application of the Health Action Process Approach to Social Distancing Behavior During COVID‐19
Authors: Kyra Hamilton (Corresponding Author) - Griffith University
Stephanie R Smith (Author) - Griffith University
Jacob J Keech (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Social Sciences - Legacy
Susette A Moyers (Author) - University of California, Merced
Martin S Hagger (Author) - University of California, Merced
Publication details: Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, Vol.12(4), pp.1244-1269
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Date published: 2020
DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12231
ISSN: 1758-0854
PMID: 33006814; PMC7537318
Organisation Unit: School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Psychology; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99482298102621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Psychology, Applied