Beliefs Underlying US Adults’ Intention to Stay Home during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we estimated the relative contribution of 4 Reasoned Action Approach (RAA) belief determinants in explaining intention to stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data were obtained from a survey of a nationally representative sample of US adults (N = 942) conducted April 10-20, 2020 (about one-month after initial stay-at-home orders were implemented) using a probability-based Internet household panel (Ipsos KnowledgePanel). Multiple regression analysis tested the association between attitude, injunctive norm, descriptive norm, and self-efficacy and intention to stay home for the next month while controlling for demographic factors. We tested for a moderating effect of worker status on the relationships between the 4 RAA beliefs and intention. Results: Instrumental attitude, injunctive norm, descriptive norm, and self-efficacy demonstrated statistically significant independent associations with intention to stay home. Self-efficacy showed the highest independent association. However, this relation was modified by an interaction between self-efficacy and worker status, revealing that self-efficacy is particularly important for essential workers. Conclusions: These findings suggest that public health strategies to increase individuals’ intention to stay home and encourage adherence to stayat- home policies should focus on enhancing self-efficacy with communication and policy supports. To be most effective, interventions should be targeted based on worker status.

How are protective behaviors against COVID-19 socially controlled?

“…Our results showed that people were sensitive to social cues and used social approval to shape their behavior. Our findings are consistent with all literature on injunctive norms (Cheng et al, 2022;Eckel et al, 2021;Friemel & Geber, 2021;Gerber et al, 2021;Higuchi et al, 2021;Kojan et al, 2022;Krupka et al, 2022;Latkin et al, 2022;Macy et al, 2021;Owens et al, 2022;Rozendaal et al, 2021;R. A. Smith et al, , 2022.…”

“…In behavioral terms, descriptive norms refer to one type of observational learning (do something because others do the same), and injunctive norms to social reinforcement (do something because others give social approval). Some studies found that the higher the perceived injunctive norms, the greater the adherence to protective behaviors (Cheng et al, 2022;Eckel et al, 2021;Friemel & Geber, 2021;Higuchi et al, 2021;Latkin et al, 2022;Macy et al, 2021;Owens et al, 2022;Rozendaal et al, 2021;R. A. Smith et al, , 2022.…”