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Updated: Aug 26, 2025

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children
Published on: March 1, 2019
An existential perspective on interpersonal closeness and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic
Samuel Fairlamb1, Emily Courtney2
1Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, UK.
Objective:
The terror management health model proposes that COVID-19's association with death should increase a desire for closeness, which could undermine social distancing intentions. Alternatively, social distancing intentions may increase if it has become culturally valued. The present research assessed these claims.
Design:
We conducted three pre-registered online experiments (N = 409) where we manipulated COVID-19 thoughts, and examined either proximal (i.e. immediate) or distal (i.e. delayed) reactions.
Main Outcome Measures:
Death-thought accessibility, desire for closeness, social distancing intentions, and measures concerning the perceived cultural value of social distancing.
Results:
COVID-19 thoughts increased death-thought accessibility (Study 1). COVID-19-induced death thoughts increased a distal desire for closeness, particularly in securely attached individuals, but also increased the perceived value of, and intentions to engage in, social distancing (Studies 2 and 3).
Conclusion:
Our findings demonstrate how proximal strategies may progress to distal strategies when they become embedded within cultural worldviews. These findings can aid in sustained efforts to encourage social distancing behavior.
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