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Does pre-COVID impulsive behaviour predict adherence to hygiene and social distancing measures in youths following the COVID-19 pandemic onset? Evidence from a South African longitudinal study.
- Source :
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BMC Public Health . 3/20/2023, Vol. 23 Issue 1, p1-12. 12p. 1 Diagram, 3 Charts, 1 Graph. - Publication Year :
- 2023
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Abstract
- Background: Engagement in protective behaviours relating to the COVID-19 pandemic has been proposed to be key to infection control. This is particularly the case for youths as key drivers of infections. A range of factors influencing adherence have been identified, including impulsivity and risk taking. We assessed the association between pre-COVID impulsivity levels and engagement in preventative measures during the COVID-19 pandemic in a longitudinal South African sample, in order to inform future pandemic planning. Methods: Data were collected from N = 214 youths (mean age at baseline: M = 17.81 (SD =.71), 55.6% female) living in a South African peri-urban settlement characterised by high poverty and deprivation. Baseline assessments were taken in 2018/19 and the COVID follow-up was conducted in June–October 2020 via remote data collection. Impulsivity was assessed using the Balloon Analogue Task (BART), while hygiene and social distancing behaviours were captured through self-report. Stepwise hierarchical regression analyses were performed to estimate effects of impulsivity on measure adherence. Results: Self-rated engagement in hygiene behaviours was high (67.1–86.1% "most of the time", except for "coughing/sneezing into one's elbow" at 33.3%), while engagement in social distancing behaviours varied (22.4–57.8% "most of the time"). Higher impulsivity predicted lower levels of hygiene (β =.14, p =.041) but not social distancing behaviours (β = −.02, p =.82). This association was retained when controlling for a range of demographic and COVID-related factors (β =.14, p =.047) and was slightly reduced when including the effects of a life-skills interventions on hygiene behaviour (β = −.13, p =.073). Conclusions: Our data indicate that impulsivity may predict adolescent engagement in hygiene behaviours post COVID-19 pandemic onset in a high risk, sub-Saharan African setting, albeit with a small effect size. For future pandemics, it is important to understand predictors of engagement, particularly in the context of adversity, where adherence may be challenging. Limitations include a small sample size and potential measure shortcomings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14712458
- Volume :
- 23
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- BMC Public Health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 162585367
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15310-w