University of Michigan issued the following announcement on Dec. 18.
New research suggests the thought of being a protector overrides desire for personal freedoms when it comes to COVID-safety messages
While many people have listened to messaging about wearing a mask and following social distancing guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19, resistance remains.
A new study finds that appealing to people’s concerns for their loved ones could overcome this resistance. And it may have implications for encouraging people to get the new vaccine.
In a recent survey, people who said social distancing and COVID-safety guidelines violated their personal freedoms responded more positively to these ideas when they felt a loved one might be at risk of severe illness for COVID-19.
“Emphasizing the benefits of being a protector for others (instead of yourself) looks to be more effective in promoting greater adherence to recommended practices,” said study author Lawrence An, associate professor of general medicine at Michigan Medicine and co-director of the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center’s Center for Health Communications Research.
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage the United States, messaging focused on shaming or pressuring people to wear a mask or avoid crowds are backfiring.
“People who respond negatively to being ‘told’ what to do are much less likely—by more than 50%—to routinely wear a mask,” An said. “However, at the same time, concern for others increases mask wearing, especially among those who report greater negativity.”
Original source can be found here.
Source: University of Michigan
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