Coronavirus fear of contagion and compliance with social distancing measures: evidence for a sample of a Spanish university community

Abstract

Background Social distancing measures have been one of the core pillars of the strategy against COVID-19 in all the countries. This study aims at understanding what motivates behaviours and compliance with social distancing measures among students and workers from a Spanish public university. Methods We carry out two logistics models considering two different dependent variables: not maintaining social relation with non-cohabiting people and not to leave home except for emergencies (n = 507, sample is formed by students and workers from the University of Cantabria in the North of Spain). Results Being very concerned about getting ill suggests higher risk of not maintaining social relation with non-cohabiting people. Getting older increase the probability of not leaving home except for emergencies as happens with those who are very concerned about getting ill. Young people often living with vulnerable older relatives may affect students’ behaviour. Conclusions Our findings suggest that compliance with social distancing measures depends on several factors related to age, the number or kind of cohabiting people and level of concern about getting ill. Policies should address all these factors through a multidisciplinary perspective.

Fear of COVID-19: the mediation role between the COVID-19 diagnosis and KAP in Spanish university students

“…Similar to other study carried out in Spain with university students, participants do not inform of high scores of fears, although they suggest the presence of fear [ 37 ]. The probability of feeling fear of COVID-19 was related to KAP, for example not maintaining social relation with non-cohabiting people [ 47 ]. As previous research had shown [ 25 , 30 , 48 ] participants reporting more knowledge, more positive attitudes or more compliance with preventive strategies also reported feeling more fear.…”

“…Moreover, higher risk perceptions increased the probability of feeling fear [ 29 ]. Being vulnerable or having close vulnerable friends or family members increased the probability of feeling fear as living with a chronically ill family member is related to high negative emotional responses in young people [ 47 ].…”