Adolescents’ adoption of COVID-19 preventive measures during the first months of the pandemic: what led to early adoption?

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to explore the extent to which adolescents adopted COVID-19 preventive measures in the first few months of the pandemic and to understand their adoption by looking at interconnected adoption-related factors and determining the strength of these factors, particularly among subgroups not expected to be early adopters. Analyses focus on data collected during Spring 2020 from 29 eastern Quebec secondary schools that participated in the COMPASS study. Participants (n = 6052) self-reported their knowledge, perception of risk and preventive practices to do with the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analyzed using structural equation models based on gender and anxiety level. The majority of respondents reported adopting the recommended COVID-19 preventive measures. The results showed three paths leading to adolescents' adoption of these measures: pandemic knowledge; perception of risk related to COVID-19; and, in particular, discussions with relatives about preventive measures and what to do in case of infection. While most of the adolescent participants in this study appeared to comply with COVID-19 preventive measures, factors such as discussions with relatives emerge as elements to foster in order to improve adolescents' adoption of preventive measures.