Sociodemographic effects on pandemic fatigue are multifaceted and context-specific: A longitudinal analysis of physical distancing adherence

Journal Article · 27 July 2023 · Journal of Public Health Research (Online)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/22799036231189308 · OSTI ID:2039705

Leach, Damon ^[1]; Morris, Keeley J. ^[2]; Fiecas, Mark B. ^[2]; Tarr, Gillian AM  ^[2]

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1. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (United States); Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
2. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (United States)

Pandemic fatigue emerged early during the COVID-19 pandemic and remains a concern as new variants emerge and ongoing public health measures are needed to control them. A wide range of factors can affect pandemic fatigue, but empiric research indicating which may be most important to adherence in specific populations is lacking. We conducted a longitudinal study of changes in physical distancing in two cohorts: adults living with children <18 years and adults ≥50 years old. Six types of non-work, non-household contacts were ascertained at six times from April to October 2020. We used generalized estimating equations Poisson regression to estimate the one-week change in contact rate and how this differed based on sociodemographic characteristics. The rate of all contact types increased during the middle of the study period and decreased toward the end. Changes in contact rates over time differed according to several sociodemographic characteristics, including age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, household composition, and access to transportation. Furthermore, the factors influencing the rate of change in contact rates differed by the type or setting of the contact, for example contacts as a result of visiting another person’s home versus during a retail outing. These results provide evidence for potential mechanisms by which pandemic fatigue has resulted in lower physical distancing adherence.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: National Institutes of Health (NIH); USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 2039705
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA--176560
• Journal Information: Journal of Public Health Research (Online), Journal Name: Journal of Public Health Research (Online) Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 12; ISSN 2279-9036
• Publisher: SAGECopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English