Adherence to and Motivations for Complying with Public Health Measures Among Adolescents During the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic in Canada

Abstract

To mitigate the burden of COVID-19 on healthcare systems and to reduce infections and associated deaths, public health measures including physical distancing and mask-wearing have been recommended. We know little regarding important predictors of adherence and motivation to engage in public guidelines among at-risk populations, such as adolescents. Objectives. The purpose of the present study was to examine differences in adherence to public health measures across provinces, and to examine developmental differences in both adherence and motivations to engage in public health among adolescents and adults across Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. Participants from two samples, including adolescents (N=788, 56.7% female, M=15.68, SD=1.36) and adults (N=578, 94.6% female; M=45.12, SD=5.83) completed online quesionnaires during the summer 2020. Results. Both adolescents and adults in provinces mandating masks were more likely to wear a mask. There were no provincial differences in adherence to social distancing. Adolescents were more likely to be motivated by social reasons, while adults were motivated by social responsibility. For both adults and adoeslcents, social responsibility was associated with more adherence to public health measures, while social concerns(e.g., maintaining social ties, social judgment) was associated with less adherence. Conclusion. Adherence to public health measures was mixed, with most participants reporting socializing in-person with people outside of their home. At the time of the survey, provincial mask mandates were associated with more mask-wearing. Results also suggest social responsibility was the main predictor of increased adherence to public health measures.

Support for mask use as a COVID-19 public health prevention measure among a large sample of Canadian secondary school students

“…In US youth, the desire to avoid contracting and spreading SARS-CoV-2 and peer in uence were associated with mask use (DeJonckheere et al, 2021). Similarly, in an online survey of Canadian adolescents, social responsibility was associated with more adherence to public health measures while social concerns regarding maintaining social ties and social judgement were associated with less adherence (Craig et al, 2021).…”

“…Increased mask use followed (Taylor & Asmundson, 2021); mask mandates are positively associated with mask use in adolescents (Craig et al, 2021;DeJonckheere et al, 2021) and schools with mask mandates had lower incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection (Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion, 2022). However, requirements around facial mask use to control the spread of COVID-19 continue to be the subject of public debate and division (Angus Reid Institute, 2022; Zhang et al, 2021).…”

Support for mask use as a COVID-19 public health measure among a large sample of Canadian secondary school students

“…In US youth, the desire to avoid contracting and spreading SARS-CoV-2 and peer influence were associated with mask use [8]. Similarly, in an online survey of Canadian adolescents, social responsibility was associated with more adherence to public health measures while social concerns regarding maintaining social ties and social judgement were associated with less adherence [7].…”

“…In response, many countries implemented policies requiring facial mask use in schools and other public spaces. Increased mask use followed [6]; mask mandates are positively associated with mask use in adolescents [7,8] and schools with mask mandates had lower incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection [9].…”

Assessing the knowledge, attitudes and practice of mask wearing while exercising in fitness facilities in British Columbia (BC), Canada during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…What are some of the reasons behind those who do not adhere to the ruling? There are many reasons that people give, but in general the more common themes tend to be around the belief that masks are unnecessary or ineffective, distrust in the government or even a social perception on how they might look to those around them (Wang et al, 2021;Craig et al, 2021;Georgieva et al, 2021). Gender may also play a role in how often masks are used.…”