Abstract
Background Based on theory, COVID-19 transmission-reducing behaviours (TRBs) should become habitual because of their frequent performance. Habits have been hypothesised to develop via sequential reflective and action control processes and, to act in concert with reflective processes. We investigated hypotheses concerning existence, development, and consequences (for adherence) of TRB habits.
Methods A representative sample of the population of Scotland (N=1003), were interviewed by a commercial polling company in August- October 2020 and half re-interviewed later. Measures included adherence, habit, reflective processes and action control for three TRBs, and personal habitual style. Data were analysed using general linear modelling, regression and mediation analyses.
Results Handwashing was more habitual than wearing face-covering and physical-distancing; only face-covering became more habitual over time. Personal style predicted TRB automaticity, and adherence to handwashing and physical distancing. Those reporting greater automaticity reported better adherence. Reflective and habit processes independently predicted adherence for physical-distancing and handwashing; only reflective processes were independently predictive for face-covering. The effect of planning and forgetting on adherence was partly direct, partly mediated by habit.
Discussion Results confirm hypotheses from habit theory including the role of repetition and of personal style in developing habits. They are consistent with dual processing theory in finding that both reflective and habit processes predict adherence to TRBs. There was evidence of action planning mediating the effects of reflective processes, i.e., ‘planning to be habitual’. The COVID-19 pandemic has enabled the testing and confirmation of several theoretical hypotheses about habit processes in the enactment of TRBs.
Methods A representative sample of the population of Scotland (N=1003), were interviewed by a commercial polling company in August- October 2020 and half re-interviewed later. Measures included adherence, habit, reflective processes and action control for three TRBs, and personal habitual style. Data were analysed using general linear modelling, regression and mediation analyses.
Results Handwashing was more habitual than wearing face-covering and physical-distancing; only face-covering became more habitual over time. Personal style predicted TRB automaticity, and adherence to handwashing and physical distancing. Those reporting greater automaticity reported better adherence. Reflective and habit processes independently predicted adherence for physical-distancing and handwashing; only reflective processes were independently predictive for face-covering. The effect of planning and forgetting on adherence was partly direct, partly mediated by habit.
Discussion Results confirm hypotheses from habit theory including the role of repetition and of personal style in developing habits. They are consistent with dual processing theory in finding that both reflective and habit processes predict adherence to TRBs. There was evidence of action planning mediating the effects of reflective processes, i.e., ‘planning to be habitual’. The COVID-19 pandemic has enabled the testing and confirmation of several theoretical hypotheses about habit processes in the enactment of TRBs.
| Original language | English |
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| Publisher | PsyArXiv |
| Number of pages | 30 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 18 Mar 2022 |