Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

November 24, 2020

Association of COVID-19 Misinformation with Face Mask Wearing and Social Distancing in a Nationally Representative US Sample

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Behavior-specific beliefs about mask use and physical distancing were more predictive of actual protective behaviors related to COVID-19 than beliefs in misinformation (e.g., rumors about the origins of the viral outbreak). Findings were based on a two-wave nationally representative survey of US adults (T1 n=1,074; T2 n=889). Though belief in misinformation was negatively associated with mask use and physical distancing, these associations disappear after adjusting for behavior-specific beliefs. Meanwhile, associations between behavior-specific beliefs and protective behaviors persisted as predictors. The authors recommend that health information campaigns should aim to promote protective behaviors and emphasize the benefits of these behaviors rather than focus on debunking unrelated false claims.

Hornik et al. (Nov 22, 2020). Association of COVID-19 Misinformation with Face Mask Wearing and Social Distancing in a Nationally Representative US Sample. Health Communication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2020.1847437