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Article

An experimental COVID-19 messaging study in a representative sample of the Scottish population: Increasing physical distancing intentions through self©\efficacy

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Citation

den Daas C, Johnston M, Hubbard G, Dixon D & Consortium C (2023) An experimental COVID-19 messaging study in a representative sample of the Scottish population: Increasing physical distancing intentions through self©\efficacy. British Journal of Health Psychology, 28 (2), pp. 439-450. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.12632

Abstract
Objectives Self-efficacy is important for adherence to transmission-reducing behaviours (e.g., physical distancing) as also shown in the CHARIS project. We aimed to show that a theory-based short message can increase physical distancing self-efficacy and intentions to keep physical distance. Design Structured telephone surveys with a randomly selected nationally representative sample of adults in Scotland (N = 497). Methods Participants were randomly assigned to one of two experimental conditions: message condition (short message to increase self-efficacy via vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion and emotional arousal) or control condition (no message). Followed by measures for self-efficacy and intention for physical distancing on 4-point scales. Adherence to physical distancing was assessed on a 5-point frequency scale (never ¨C always). Results Using mediation analyses with bootstrapping procedures, we first confirmed that self-efficacy was associated indirectly with adherence, via higher intentions in a partial mediation (unstandardized indirect effect .21, 95% CI .18¨C.25). The message increased self-efficacy; participants receiving the message reported higher self-efficacy (M = 4.23, SD = .80) compared to participants in the control condition (M = 4.08, SD = .77; standardized regression coefficient = .19, p?

Keywords
adherence; COVID-19; intentions; messaging; physical distancing; self-efficacy

Notes
Ronan O'Carroll participated in the research as part of the Charis Consortium

Journal
British Journal of Health Psychology: Volume 28, Issue 2

StatusPublished
Funders
Publication date31/05/2023
Publication date online30/11/2022
Date accepted by journal01/06/2022
URL
PublisherWiley
ISSN1359-107X
eISSN2044-8287

People (1)

Professor Ronan O'Carroll

Professor Ronan O'Carroll

Professor, Psychology

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