Global meta-analysis quantifies individual-level factors impacting social distancing adherence, suggesting regional disparities.
Key Points
The aim is to quantify the associations between individual-level factors and adherence to social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conducted a global meta-analysis of 58 cross-sectional studies consisting of 545,640 participants.
Systematic search of six electronic databases until August 20, 2025.
Used Pearson’s correlation coefficients to estimate and analyze associations with random-effects meta-analysis.
Higher educational attainment (r = 0.09) and greater perceived risk (r = 0.10) were positively associated with adherence.
More conservative political ideology was negatively associated with adherence (r = -0.12).
Variations in adherence factors were noted across World Health Organization regions, with the European region showing the most significant associations.