Youth and men not ready to follow Covid-19 measures, claims new study

Research by BI Norwegian Business School says men and younger people with conservative political views are less likely to comply with coronavirus regulations like social distancing

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Social distancingA new research has claimed that youngsters, men and people with conservative political views are not very ready to comply with Covid-19 measures such as social distancing.

The study by BI Norwegian Business School also suggest that detailed instructions on the virus and health behaviours can help increase adherence to Covid-19 measures.

Since the crucial solution to combat Covid-19 so far has been to avoid contact with each other and enhance personal hygiene, including handwashing, it is vital to understand what can be done to improve hygiene and social distancing behaviours.

Who did it

They study was done by occupational psychologist Professor Adrian Furnham, and colleagues, who investigated the relationship between personality and reactions to Covid-19 advice.

They analysied reactions of participants to advice given by local authorities and media including opposition and compliance with restrictions, health behaviour, such as social distancing and handwashing.

Those who took part in the study were from Italy, Spain, the UK, Poland, Portugal, Canada, the US and Mexico.

The findings said that those with conservative political views, younger people, males, extraverts, and those with low neuroticism, low agreeableness, and low conscientiousness are likely to disregard government advice on Covid-19 and put others at risk.

Also, those with high externalising personality disorders, including antisocial and narcissistic personalities, are less likely to be compliant.

Says Furnham, “Intentions to comply with government restrictions in the future increased in the experimental group with good hygiene behaviour also improving. However, opposition to regulations increased in both groups, but to a lesser extent in the experimental group.”

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He also said that social distancing behaviours decreased in both groups, but less so in the experimental group. This may reflect that social distancing behaviours are more difficult to handle in the long-term than improved personal hygiene.

Important preliminary findings of the study were presented at a a recent Covid-19 research seminar at BI Norwegian Business School. It has been submitted for a peer-reviewed journal.

(With inputs from The OnLook News Research Bureau)

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