How the Stringency of the COVID-19 Restrictions Influences Motivation for Adherence and Well-Being: The Critical Role of Proportionality

Abstract

Background: The stringency of the measures taken by governments to combat the COVID-19 pandemic varied considerably across countries and time. In the present study, we examined how the proportionality to the epidemiological situation is related to citizens’behavior, motivation and mental health. Methods: Across 421 days between March 2020 and March 2022, 273,722 Belgian participants (Mage = 49.47; 63.9% female; 33% single) completed an online questionnaire. Multiple linear mixed regression modeling was used to examine the interaction between the epidemiological situation, as indicated by the actual hospitalization numbers, and the stringency index to predict day-to-day variation in the variables of interest. Results: Systematic evidence emerged showing that disproportional situations, as opposed to proportional situations, were associated with a clear pattern of maladaptive outcomes. Specifically, when either strict or lenient measures were disproportional in relation to the epidemiological situation, people reported lower autonomous motivation, more controlled motivation and amotivation, less adherence to sanitary rules, higher perceived risk of infection, lower need satisfaction, and higher anxiety and depressive symptoms. Perceived risk severity especially covaried with the stringency of the measures. At the absolute level, citizens reported the highest need satisfaction and mental health during days with proportional lenient measures. Conclusion: Stringent measures are not per se demotivating or compromising of people’s well-being, nor are lenient measures as such motivating or enhancing well-being. Only proportional measures, that is, measures with a level of stringency that is aligned with the actual epidemiological situation, are associated with the greatest motivational, behavioral, and mental health benefits.

From the Motivation Barometer to the THRIVE project – Past and future research on psychological aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic

“…The following study illustrates one contribution of our project. We examined how the proportionality of measures taken by public authorities between March 2020 and March 2022 to face the epidemiological situation was related to citizens' behaviour, motivation and mental health (Waterschoot, Morbée, Van den Bergh, et al, 2023). An important conclusion that we largely communicate was that stringent measures are not per se demotivating or damaging people's wellbeing, nor are lenient measures as such motivating or enhancing well-being.…”

Psychological science and its societal mission during the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic: The Motivation Barometer as an evidence‐informed policy instrument in Belgium

“…Another long‐term investigation, spanning 421 days of the crisis between March 2020 and March 2022, showed that the effect of hospitalization load fully depends on the stringency of the implemented measures (Waterschoot, Morbée, Van den Bergh, Yzerbyt, et al., 2023). What especially appears critical is the proportionality between stringency and hospitalization load, with a balance between both required to generate positive or, alternatively, avoid negative effects on motivation, basic needs, and mental health.…”

“…As such, the Motivation Barometer helped politicians navigate the crisis using evidence‐informed/based recommendations rather than anecdotic and intuition‐driven arguments. The advice given to policymakers both dealt with the way of framing and explaining decisions (Pope et al., 2018) as well as with the type of decisions being made, as both can impact people's health concerns/risks and need satisfactions positioned in the middle of Figure 2 (Waterschoot, Morbée, Van den Bergh, Yzerbyt, et al., 2023). Illustrative examples are: allowing two close contacts for singles during Christmas gatherings in 2020 (Waterschoot, Morbée, Van den Bergh & Vansteenkiste, 2023) and rescheduling leisure time activities of youth such that both primary and secondary school students can participate in one single leisure time activity during an extended school lockdown instead of primary school students participate in an unlimited number and secondary school students being prohibited to engage in any leisure time activity.…”