Background Social distancing is a key behavior to minimize COVID-19 infections. Identification of potentially modifiable determinants of social distancing behavior may provide essential evidence to inform social distancing behavioral interventions. Purpose The current study applied an integrated social cognition model to identify the determinants of social distancing behavior, and the processes involved, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods In a prospective correlational survey study, samples of Australian (N = 365) and U.S. (N = 440) residents completed online self-report measures of social cognition constructs (attitude, subjective norm, moral norm, anticipated regret, and perceived behavioral control [PBC]), intention, action planning, habit, and past behavior with respect to social distancing behavior at an initial occasion. Follow-up measures of habit and social distancing behavior were taken 1 week later. Results Structural equation models indicated that subjective norm, moral norm, and PBC were consistent predictors of intention in both samples. Intention, action planning, and habit at follow-up were consistent predictors of social distancing behavior in both samples. Action planning did not have consistent effects mediating or moderating the intention–behavior relationship. Inclusion of past behavior in the model attenuated effects among constructs, although the effects of the determinants of intention and behavior remained. Conclusions Current findings highlight the importance of subjective norm, moral obligation, and PBC as determinants of social distancing intention and intention and habit as behavioral determinants. Future research on long-range predictors of social distancing behavior and reciprocal effects in the integrated model is warranted.

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.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify perspectives of female spouses/intimate partners regarding posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in returning Iraq and Afghanistan combat Veterans. Through the use of a self-administered questionnaire based on Flanagan's critical incident technique, reports were obtained from a purposive sample of 34 spouses/intimate partners of Veterans recruited through a social group for military spouses and a university in southeastern North Carolina. Two-thirds of the participants reported not having received formal education about PTSD. The main perceived barriers to PTSD treatment seeking were denial of symptoms, fear, and stigma about disclosing PTSD symptoms. Spouses/intimate partners observed Veterans for changes in behavior and routines, disturbed sleep patterns, and nightmares. In the event of PTSD treatment resistance, spouses/intimate partners reported they would suggest the need for treatment, issue an ultimatum, take action, or offer patience and support without taking any action.

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Objective:We applied an integrated social cognition model to predict physical distancing behavior, a key COVID-19 preventive behavior, over a four-month period. Design: A three-wave longitudinal survey design. Methods: Australian and US residents (N=601) completed self-report measures of social cognition constructs (attitude, subjective norm, moral norm, perceived behavioral control [PBC]), intention, habit, and physical distancing behavior on an initial occasion (T1) and on two further occasions one week (T2) and four months (T3) later. Results: A structural equation model revealed that subjective norm, moral norm, and PBC, were consistent predictors of physical distancing intention on all three occasions. Intention and habit at T1 and T2 predicted physical distancing behavior at T2 and T3, respectively. Intention at T2 mediated effects of subjective norm, moral norm, and PBC at T2 on physical distancing behavior at T3, and habit at T1 and T2 mediated effects of behavior at T1 and T2 on follow-up behavior at T2 and T3, respectively. Conclusion: Normative (subjective and moral norms) and capacity (PBC) constructs were consistent predictors of physical distancing intention, and intention and habit were consistent predictors of physical distancing behavior. Interventions promoting physical distancing should target change in normative and personal capacity beliefs, and habit.

Background Promoting the adoption of personal hygiene behaviors known to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, such as avoiding touching one’s face with unwashed hands, is important for limiting the spread of infections. Purpose We aimed to test the efficacy of a theory-based intervention to promote the avoidance of touching one’s face with unwashed hands to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Methods We tested effects of an intervention employing imagery, persuasive communication, and planning techniques in two pre-registered studies adopting randomized controlled designs in samples of Australian (N = 254; Study 1) and US (N = 245; Study 2) residents. Participants were randomly assigned to theory-based intervention or education-only conditions (Study 1), or to theory-based intervention, education-only, and no-intervention control conditions (Study 2). The intervention was delivered online and participants completed measures of behavior and theory-based social cognition constructs pre-intervention and one-week postintervention. Results Mixed-model ANOVAs revealed a significant increase in avoidance of touching the face with unwashed hands from pre-intervention to follow-up irrespective of intervention condition in both studies, but no significant condition effects. Exploratory analyses revealed significant effects of the theory-based intervention on behavior at follow-up in individuals with low pre-intervention risk perceptions in Study 2. Conclusions Results indicate high adoption of avoiding touching one’s face with unwashed hands, with behavior increasing over time independent of the intervention. Future research should confirm risk perceptions as a moderator of the effect theory-based interventions on infection-prevention behaviors.

We propose five strategies for translating these results into practice, including: training and protocol development for (i) emergency personnel and (ii) telephone operators; (iii) training for rescuers regarding non-compliant rescuees; (iv) educating the public and (v) increasing compliance with closed roads. Current findings provide valuable insights into how rescuers can be supported in performing their roles, and implementation of these strategies has the potential to reduce fatalities occurring due to attempting to drive through floodwater. SO WHAT?: The strategies presented have the potential to reduce the frequency and improve the outcomes of floodwater rescues, aiding in the prevention of injury and death.

Background. We examined the social cognition determinants of parental supervised toothbrushing guided by the health action process approach (HAPA). Methods.In a prospective correlational survey study, participants (N = 185, 84.3% women) completed HAPA social cognition constructs at an initial time point (T1), and 12 weeks later (T2) self-reported on their parental supervised toothbrushing behaviour, toothbrushing habit, and action control.Results. Structural equation models exhibited adequate fit with the data when past behaviour and habit were either excluded or included. Intention, self-efficacy, planning, and action control were predictors of parental supervised toothbrushing; intention predicted action planning and coping planning; and self-efficacy and attitude were predictors of intention. Indirect effects of social cognition constructs through intentions, and intentions through planning constructs were also observed. Inclusion of past behaviour and habit attenuated model effects. Conclusion.Results indicate that parental supervised toothbrushing is a function of motivational and volitional processes. This knowledge can be used to inform behaviour change interventions targeting parental supervised toothbrushing. Statement of contributionWhat is already known on this subject?Early childhood caries is the most common preventable chronic disease in childhood.Regular parental supervised toothbrushing is vital for preventing early childhood caries in preschoolers.