Predictors of social distancing compliance in an Australian sample

Pandemics are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, and the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has been the most fatal coronavirus outbreak of the 21st century. To reduce person-to-person transmission, interventions such as social distancing have been recommended; however, it is anticipated that 80% compliance is required to control the outbreak. A questionnaire was used to assess the factors related to compliance with social distancing restrictions using a modified version of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) that included participants' understanding of restrictions. The questionnaire included 18 vignettes (violating, non-violating and ambiguous) to assess participants' knowledge of the social distancing restrictions and intentions to violate them. Participants were also presented the social distancing restrictions relevant at the time of completion and they were asked to consider the restrictions when anticipating their behavior in the vignettes. In line with the predictions of the TPB, intentions to adhere to restrictions and perceived behavioral control predicted participants' self-reported behaviors. Further, attitudes (ATT) toward social distancing restrictions and knowledge of the restrictions predicted intentions to adhere to them. Public health messaging should aim to increase the understanding of the restrictions, e.g. through the use of example scenarios of permitted and prohibited behaviors. This would be particularly beneficial when changes are implemented to promote the understanding of the restrictions and positive ATT toward them.