Dataset Information

Non-compliance with COVID-19-related public health measures among young adults in Switzerland: Insights from a longitudinal cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Adolescents and young adults were identified internationally as a group with potentially low compliance rates with public health measures aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although non-compliance research during pandemics has typically focused on concurrent correlates, less is known about how prior social and psychological risk factors are associated with non-compliance during pandemics.

Objective

This paper leverages a prospective-longitudinal cohort study with data before and during the pandemic to describe patterns of non-compliance with COVID- 19 related public health measures in young adults and to identify which characteristics increase the risk of non-compliance.

Methods

Data came from an ongoing cohort study in Zurich, Switzerland (n=737). Non-compliance with public health measures and concurrent correlates were measured at age 22. Antecedent sociodemographic, social, and psychological factors were measured at ages 15-20. Young adults generally complied with COVID-19 public health measures, although non-compliance with some measures (e.g., cleaning/disinfecting mobile phones, standing 1.5-2 meters apart) was relatively higher.

Results

Non-compliance, especially with hygiene-related measures, was more prevalent in males, and in individuals with higher education, higher SES, and a nonmigrant background. Non-compliance was higher in young adults who had previously scored high on indicators of "antisocial potential," including low acceptance of moral rules, pre-pandemic legal cynicism, low shame/guilt, low self-control, engagement in delinquent behaviors, and association with delinquent peers. Young adults with low trust, including in the government's measures for fighting the virus, also complied less.

Conclusions

In order to increase voluntary compliance with COVID-19 measures, public health campaigns should implement strategies that foster moral obligation and trust in authorities, or leverage trustworthy individuals in the community to disseminate information. For young adults with low self-control, self-monitoring, environmental restructuring, or nudging may increase compliance. Long-term investments into integrating youth with antisocial potential into society may decrease rule-breaking behaviors, including during pandemics when compliance saves lives.

SUBMITTER: Nivette A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7493799 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Non-compliance with COVID-19-related public health measures among young adults in Switzerland: Insights from a longitudinal cohort study.

Nivette Amy A Ribeaud Denis D Murray Aja A Steinhoff Annekatrin A Bechtiger Laura L Hepp Urs U Shanahan Lilly L Eisner Manuel M

Social science & medicine (1982) 20200916

<h4>Rationale</h4>Adolescents and young adults were identified internationally as a group with potentially low compliance rates with public health measures aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although non-compliance research during pandemics has typically focused on concurrent correlates, less is known about how prior social and psychological risk factors are associated with non-compliance during pandemics.<h4>Objective</h4>This paper leverages a prospective-longi ...[more]

PMID: 32980677

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Project description:BackgroundWhile compliance with preventive measures remains central to limit the spread of COVID-19, these measures critically affected mental health of young adults. We therefore investigated the association between the level of compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures and depressive symptoms among young adults in Canada and France.MethodsFrom October to December 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional online survey of young adults ages 18-29 years in Canada (n = 3246) and France (n = 2680) to collect demographic data, experiences with COVID-19 preventive measures, and mental health. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Compliance profiles were built using cluster analysis. Weighted multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate associations between compliance level and major depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 score≥15) in each country.ResultsOne third of respondents reported major depressive symptoms (Canada: 36.4%, France: 23.4%). Four compliance profiles were identified: high (42.5%), medium-high (21.7%), medium-low (18.1%), and low (17.7%), with high levels more frequently observed in Canada compared to France. In both countries, participants in low compliance profile (Canada: Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) [95% Confidence Interval] 0.75 [0.58, 0.98], France: AOR 0.60 [0.46, 0.75]), in the medium-low (Canada: AOR 0.58 [0.48, 0.72], France: AOR 0.81 [0.66, 1.01]), and medium-high compliance profiles (Canada: AOR 0.78 [0.65, 0.93], France: AOR 0.77 [0.63, 0.93]) were less likely to report major depressive symptoms compared to the high compliance profile. Ethno-racial minorities, sexual and gender minority, and unemployed young adults had higher odds of reporting such symptoms.ConclusionsMajor depressive symptoms were associated with high compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures among young adults. The implementation of socially-isolating measures should be coupled with mental health interventions to address mental health needs of young adults, with enhanced supports for sub-groups who are structurally disadvantaged (e.g., racialized, unemployed, sexual and gender minority).

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Project description:BackgroundIntroducing national lockdown has been effective in containing Covid-19. However, several studies indicated negative impacts of lockdowns on the well-being and mental health of many people. In Austria, the first Covid-19-related lockdown was introduced on 16 March 2020 with most restrictions being lifted 1 month later. Seven months after that, in November 2020, the second full lockdown was implemented. The aim of this study was to compare the perceptions and experiences of the general population related to the first and second Covid-19 lockdowns in Austria.MethodsTwo waves of an online survey were conducted in May and December 2020 asking respondents about their concerns related to the Covid-19 illness, personal experiences of the lockdowns, perceptions of and compliance with imposed public health measures, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on different aspects of life during the two lockdowns. Descriptive statistics including frequency analysis were used to compare respondents' answers collected in the two waves of the survey. T-test and chi-square tests were used to test differences between the two lockdowns.ResultsFive hundred sixty participants were included in the first wave and a sub-sample of 134 participants in the second wave of data collection. During the second lockdown, study respondents were more concerned about their family members contracting Covid-19 when compared with the first lockdown. Compliance with public health measures was overall lower during the second lockdown, although it varied according to the type of the measure. Closure of schools was seen as the least essential restriction during the second lockdown, while wearing masks gained additional approval between the first and the second lockdown. Larger negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on friendships, leisure activities, education and community were reported during the second lockdown.ConclusionsThe study found that the extended duration of the pandemic and recurring lockdowns restricting freedom of movement and social contacts appear to have caused significant disruptions to many areas of life. Furthermore, declining adherence to most public health measures over time raises a question about the effectiveness of future lockdown measures.

Dataset Information

Non-compliance with COVID-19-related public health measures among young adults in Switzerland: Insights from a longitudinal cohort study.

Rationale

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Non-compliance with COVID-19-related public health measures among young adults in Switzerland: Insights from a longitudinal cohort study.

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