A worldwide assessment of changes in adherence to COVID-19 protective behaviours and hypothesized pandemic fatigue

Anna Petherick (), Rafael Goldszmidt, Eduardo B. Andrade, Rodrigo Furst, Thomas Hale, Annalena Pott and Andrew Wood
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Anna Petherick: University of Oxford
Rafael Goldszmidt: Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV)
Eduardo B. Andrade: Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV)
Rodrigo Furst: Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV)
Thomas Hale: University of Oxford
Annalena Pott: University of Oxford
Andrew Wood: University of Oxford

Nature Human Behaviour, 2021, vol. 5, issue 9, 1145-1160

Abstract: Abstract As the COVID-19 pandemic lingers, the possibility of ‘pandemic fatigue’ has raised worldwide concerns. Here, we examine whether there was a gradual reduction in adherence to protective behaviours against COVID-19 from March through December 2020, as hypothesized in expectations of fatigue. We considered self-report behaviours from representative samples of the populations of 14 countries (N = 238,797), as well as mobility and policy data for 124 countries. Our results show that changes in adherence were empirically meaningful and geographically widespread. While a low-cost and habituating behaviour (mask wearing) exhibited a linear rise in adherence, high-cost and sensitizing behaviours (physical distancing) declined, but this decline decelerated over time, with small rebounds seen in later months. Reductions in adherence to physical distancing showed little difference across societal groups, but were less intense in countries with high interpersonal trust. Alternative underlying mechanisms and policy implications are discussed.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41562-021-01181-x

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