Theory of Planned Behavior Analysis of Social Distancing During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Focusing on the Intention–Behavior Gap

Abstract

Background As COVID-19 continues to spread globally, it is important to understand psychological factors that may influence compliance with social distancing. Purpose The present study examined whether Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) constructs were associated with social distancing, with a focus on exploring moderators of the intention–behavior relationship. Methods Using a longitudinal design, U.S. adults (N = 507) self-reported TPB constructs and social distancing behavior at baseline and 3 months later. Participants were from 48 U.S. States and the District of Columbia and were on average 50.39 years old (SD = 15.32, range = 18–80). The majority were Non-Hispanic White (71.6%), had a bachelor’s degree or higher (55.3%), and resided in suburban areas (55.8%). Results While positive attitudes toward social distancing increased over time (p = .002), subjective norms weakened (p < .001) and perceived behavioral control (PBC) remained stable (p = .22). Interestingly, despite an increase in intentions from baseline to follow-up (p < .001), there was a significant decrease in social distancing behavior over time (p < .001). Consistent with the TPB, baseline attitudes (p < .001), subjective norms (p < .001), and PBC (p < .001) for social distancing were all associated with baseline intentions to social distance. In turn, baseline intentions were significantly associated with social distancing behavior at follow-up (p < .001). Younger adults (p < .001) and non-White participants (p = .002) displayed a greater intention–behavior gap relative to older and White participants. In contrast, participants with more stable intentions over time displayed a stronger intention–behavior relationship (p < .001). Conclusions Targeting individuals’ attitudes, norms, and PBC may effectively promote protective behaviors intended to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and similar viral outbreaks. Future research should examine effective strategies for translating social distancing intentions into actions.

The Theory of Planned Behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic: A comparison of health behaviors between Belgian and French residents

“…Third, we evidenced that favorable attitudes, combined with the approval of the behavior by others close to them, strengthens the intentions to perform that particular health behavior (i.e., intentions), which in turn positively influenced both handwashing and limitation of social contacts. The results of the present study are consistent with other studies who also demonstrated that positive attitudes (e.g., [20]), social norms (e.g., [38,39]), and intentions (e.g., [40,41] play key roles in the adhesion of health behaviors related to the COVID-19 (see also [22,42]).…”

The Role of Attitudes, Norms, and Efficacy on Shifting COVID-19 Vaccine Intentions: A Longitudinal Study of COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions in New Zealand

“…A larger, more representative sample may provide slightly different estimates than reported above. At both times of the survey, vaccination intentions were self-reported, and it is important to follow-up on actual behaviour, particularly as few studies report intention-behaviour gap [22]. Similarly, other variables of perceived susceptibility and severity from Health Belief Model should be evaluated for a more comprehensive model [1,4,27].…”

“…However, the TPB is not without limitations. First, a majority of evidence is based on cross-sectional surveys, where the intention-behaviour gap is less visible than in longitudinal studies [19,22,23]. For example, the TPB constructs explain about half of variance in intentions but only a minor variance in behaviours in a meta-analysis of TPB to predict nutrition-related behaviours in youth [19].…”

“…Second, the few longitudinal studies on COVID-19 vaccine intentions have evaluated all TPB constructs: while some focus on attitudes alone without also encapsulating social norms and efficacy [3,6], while others on perceived risk of the disease [22]. Several studies have focussed on, for example, vaccine efficacy communication (how effective are the vaccines) [29][30][31] rather than self-efficacy, even as self-efficacy has been found to be an important predictor of intentions and behaviours [32].…”

“…They asserted that TPB is less predictive of new health-related behaviour than predicting repeated behaviours. A recent study longitudinally tested TPB on COVID-19 safety behaviours (but not vaccine intentions) and found that baseline attitudes, norms, and perceived behaviour control for social distancing were all associated with baseline intentions to social distance, which in turn were significantly associated with social distancing behaviour at follow-up in 3 months [22].…”