An existential perspective on interpersonal closeness and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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    • Subject Terms:
      DEATH & psychology; FEAR; ATTITUDES toward death; HEALTH attitudes; RESEARCH funding; ATTACHMENT behavior; CULTURAL values; EXPERIENCE; EXPERIMENTAL design; HEALTH behavior; INTENTION; INTERPERSONAL relations; COVID-19 pandemic; SOCIAL distancing; GOVERNMENT regulation; ELASTIC tissue
    • Abstract:
      The terror management health model proposes that COVID-19's association with death should increase a desire for closeness, which could undermine social distancing intentions. Alternatively, social distancing intentions may increase if it has become culturally valued. The present research assessed these claims. We conducted three pre-registered online experiments (N = 409) where we manipulated COVID-19 thoughts, and examined either proximal (i.e. immediate) or distal (i.e. delayed) reactions. Death-thought accessibility, desire for closeness, social distancing intentions, and measures concerning the perceived cultural value of social distancing. COVID-19 thoughts increased death-thought accessibility (Study 1). COVID-19-induced death thoughts increased a distal desire for closeness, particularly in securely attached individuals, but also increased the perceived value of, and intentions to engage in, social distancing (Studies 2 and 3). Our findings demonstrate how proximal strategies may progress to distal strategies when they become embedded within cultural worldviews. These findings can aid in sustained efforts to encourage social distancing behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
    • Abstract:
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