Open AccessSocial Distancing in the Context of COVID-19 Anxiety: A Social Cognitive Approach
Author(s) -
Allyson S. Graf,
Abigail Nehrkorn-Bailey,
Amy Knepple Carney
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of social, behavioral and health sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1948-3260
DOI - 10.5590/jsbhs.2021.15.1.12
Subject(s) - social distance , psychology , risk perception , anxiety , self efficacy , context (archaeology) , social cognitive theory , distancing , perception , social anxiety , social psychology , information seeking , cognition , pandemic , covid-19 , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , medicine , psychiatry , paleontology , disease , pathology , neuroscience , library science , computer science , infectious disease (medical specialty) , biology
As the impact of COVID-19 continues, engagement in social distancing is essential. Using Social Cognitive Theory, the current study examined the unique roles of COVID-19 anxiety and self-efficacy on the relationships between information-seeking and risk perception as predictors of social distancing intention. A convenience sample of 960 adults ( M = 37.81 years, SD = 11.65) completed an author-designed online survey. Participants completed measures on behavioral intention, information-seeking, risk perception, COVID-19 anxiety, and self-efficacy. Moderated mediations examined the theoretically proposed relationships among the variables. COVID-19 anxiety moderated the relationship between risk perception and self-efficacy, but not the association between information-seeking and self-efficacy. Self-efficacy mediated the role of risk perception and information-seeking on behavioral intent. Self-efficacy was strongly associated with social distancing intention, consistent with previous research and underscoring the need to identify factors influencing self-efficacy in the context of a pandemic. Risk perception and information-seeking both directly and indirectly related to intention to social distance, with COVID-19 anxiety dampening the influence of perceived risk on self-efficacy. The roles of risk perception and information-seeking in relation to self-efficacy suggest the need to adequately describe risk, reduce pandemic-related anxiety, and provide accurate, transparent information.