The Interactive Effects of Scientific Knowledge and Gender on COVID‐19 Social Distancing Compliance

Abstract

Objective. In this research note, we examine the role scientific knowledge and gender plays in citizen responses to governmental social distancing recommendations. Methods. Using two waves of the American Trends Panel Survey and a measure of latent scientific knowledge, we test whether scientific knowledge is associated with comfort in participating in social activities during the COVID-19 pandemic within both the full U.S. population and the two major political parties. Results. In both the general population and within the Democratic Party, we find that women are generally more likely to use their scientific knowledge to inform their level of comfort with social activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion. These findings shed light on how knowledge and gender intersect to drive compliance with government recommendations and policies during a public health crisis in a deeply partisan America.

Follow the scientists? How beliefs about the practice of science shaped COVID-19 views

“…Findings from this study build on the emerging literature connecting science views, partisanship, and beliefs about the coronavirus [Aksoy, Eichengreen and Saka, 2020;Allcott et al, 2020;Algara et al, 2021;Brzezinski et al, 2021;Hamilton and Safford, 2021a]. Risk perceptions among GS Panel respondents vary markedly by political party with Republicans being less worried than Democrats about the threat of COVID-19.…”

“…studies demonstrate that trust in science and the perceived credibility of scientists can influence views about science-related issues and policy recommendations [Chryssochoidis, Strada and Krystallis, 2009;Iyengar and Massey, 2019;Kellstedt, Zahran and Vedlitz, 2008;Millstone and van Zwanenberg, 2000;Yamamoto, 2012]. Building on these findings, recent scholarship illustrates that a range of social factors influence attitudes and beliefs about COVID-19-related concerns [Adolph et al, 2021;Agley and Xiao, 2021;Aksoy, Eichengreen and Saka, 2020;Algara et al, 2021;Brzezinski et al, 2021;Calvillo et al, 2020;Hamilton and Safford, 2021a;Hamilton and Safford, 2021b;Hamilton and Safford, 2021c;. However, to what extent beliefs about the integrity and objectivity of scientists relate to beliefs about COVID-19 and support for public health interventions remains an open question.…”

The role of race and scientific trust on support for COVID-19 social distancing measures in the United States

“…Support for and compliance with these policies, evidenced by widespread anti-“lockdown” and anti-mask protests/behaviors and surveys conducted by Pew Research Center [ 5 ], is highly variable, with many heavily in favor and nearly as many heavily opposed. Recent work has attempted to parse out the likely determinants of support and compliance, examining influences such as gender, partisanship, and scientific knowledge and trust [ 6 , 7 ]; race/ethnicity, conspiracy theory beliefs, and COVID-19 knowledge [ 8 ]; and local coronavirus incidence and threat perceptions [ 9 ].…”

COVID-19 hardships and self-reported sleep quality among American adults in March and April 2020: Results from a nationally representative panel study

“…The ATP is increasingly utilized in health-related research and has continued data collection during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. 25. , 26.…”