Contextual Predictors: Hospitalization Load, Stringency, Communication Style, and Trust

Research on societal and individual responses to crises like the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted several critical factors. Studies explored distal factors such as hospitalization load and the stringency of public health measures, along with proximal factors including trust in authorities and the communication styles of healthcare providers.

Hospitalization Load and Stringency

Our analysis, spanning from July 2020 to March 2022, found that higher hospitalization rates increased autonomous motivation to follow safety measures, mediated by risk perception. However, mismatched stringency—whether too strict or lenient—lowered well-being and adherence to regulations, emphasizing the delicate balance between freedom and autonomy.

Communication Style

Effective public health communication is crucial. Autonomy-supportive messaging from healthcare workers and authorities positively influenced motivation and vaccination intentions, especially among initially hesitant individuals. However, framing vaccination as a pro-social deed could provoke guilt or polarization.

Trust

Trust in political and healthcare authorities significantly impacted adherence to safety measures and vaccine uptake. Higher trust correlated with greater acceptance, while distrust, often linked to conspiracy theories, led to lower compliance. Trust fosters a sense of ownership over decisions, playing a key role in the public’s willingness to follow regulations during crises.