COVID-19 illegal social gatherings: Predicting rule compliance from autonomous and controlled forms of motivation.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of rule compliance regarding private gatherings during the 2020 Christmas holidays in the province of Quebec (Canada), where gatherings were ruled as illegal, with few exceptions. We used the self-determination theory framework to predict rule compliance as a function of autonomous, controlled-approach and controlled-avoidance motivations. Moreover, we measured psychological distress among participants as well as anxiety of COVID-19 exposure. Motivation and psychological distress measures were taken a couple of days prior to the holiday period, whereas rule compliance was measured approximately 10 days later, in early January. A total of 1332 individuals filled the first online survey and 627 completed the follow-up measure. The factorial structure of the motivational instrument was supported. Rule compliance was predicted positively by autonomous motivation, but negatively by controlled-avoidance motivation. Controlled approach was not a significant predictor of rule compliance. These results show that approach and avoidance orientations in controlled motivation have distinct predictive power, which has implications for policy-enforcing by governments. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)