DRURY_Social_Science_&_Medicine_MAR_2022.pdf (950.94 kB)
Interventions to promote physical distancing behaviour during infectious disease pandemics or epidemics: a systematic review
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-10, 02:59 authored by Tracy Epton, Daniela Ghio, Lisa M Ballard, Sarah F Allen, Angelos P Kassianos, Rachael Hewitt, Katherine Swainston, Wendy Irene Fynn, Vickie Rowland, Juliette Westbrook, Elizabeth Jenkinson, Alison Morrow, Grant J McGeechan, Sabina Stanescu, John DruryJohn Drury, othersObjectives Physical distancing, defined as keeping 1–2m apart when co-located, can prevent cases of droplet or aerosol transmitted infectious diseases such as SARS-CoV2. During the COVID-19 pandemic, distancing was a recommendation or a requirement in many countries. This systematic review aimed to determine which interventions and behavior change techniques (BCTs) are effective in promoting adherence to distancing and through which potential mechanisms of action (MOAs). Methods Six databases were searched. The review included studies that were (a) conducted on humans, (b) reported physical distancing interventions, (c) included any comparator (e.g., pre-intervention versus post-intervention; randomized controlled trial), and (d) reported actual distancing or predictors of distancing behavior. Risk of bias was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. BCTs and potential MoAs were identified in each intervention. Results Six reports (with seven studies and 19 comparisons) indicated that distancing interventions could successfully change MoAs and behavior. Successful BCTs (MoAs) included feedback on behavior (e.g., motivation); information about health consequences, salience of health consequences (e.g., beliefs about consequences), demonstration (e.g., beliefs about capabilities), and restructuring the physical environment (e.g., environmental context and resources). The most promising interventions were proximity buzzers, directional systems, and posters with loss-framed messages that demonstrated the behaviors. Conclusions The evidence indicates several BCTs and potential MoAs that should be targeted in interventions and highlights gaps that should be the focus of future research.
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Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
Social Science and MedicineISSN
0277-9536Publisher
ElsevierExternal DOI
Article number
a114946Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2022-03-28First Open Access (FOA) Date
2023-03-27First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2022-03-28Usage metrics
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