ABSTRACT

Physical distancing measures have become the first line of defence for slowing COVID-19 virus transmission. However, studies have demonstrated that compliance with physical distancing restrictions has not been uniform. Police have also encountered widespread resentment of the restrictions, defiance, and people purposefully flouting restrictions. In this study, we examined factors associated with compliance with COVID-19 restrictions among those who held defiant attitudes toward police during the early stages of the pandemic in Australia. The study draws on survey data collected from 1595 Australians during the initial lockdown period in Australia. Regression analysis was applied to determine if two forms of defiance toward police (resistance and disengagement) were associated with reduced compliance with restrictions while controlling for other known correlates of compliance. We also identified factors that were associated with compliance among highly resistant and disengaged individuals. Findings indicate that defiant individuals were significantly less likely to comply with physical distancing restrictions. Among highly resistant and disengaged individuals, recent police-initiated encounters that were deemed to be procedurally unjust were also associated with reduced compliance. In addition, highly disengaged individuals were less likely to comply if they were concerned about ongoing loss of freedoms post-COVID-19. The implications of the findings for defiance and compliance research, as well as for COVID-19 policing strategies, are discussed.

摘要

物理距离措施已成为减缓 COVID-19 病毒传播的第一道防线。但是，研究表明，遵守物理距离限制的情况并不统一。警方还遇到了对限制、蔑视和人们故意无视限制的普遍不满。在这项研究中，我们研究了在澳大利亚大流行的早期阶段对警察持反抗态度的人中与遵守 COVID-19 限制相关的因素。该研究利用了在澳大利亚最初的封锁期间从 1595 名澳大利亚人那里收集的调查数据。应用回归分析来确定两种形式的对警察的蔑视（抵抗和脱离接触）是否与减少遵守限制有关，同时控制其他已知的遵守相关性。我们还确定了与高度抗拒和不参与的个体的依从性相关的因素。调查结果表明，挑衅的人遵守物理距离限制的可能性要小得多。在高度抗拒和不参与的个人中，最近警察发起的被认为在程序上不公正的遭遇也与依从性降低有关。此外，如果他们担心在 COVID-19 之后持续丧失自由，那么高度不参与的人不太可能遵守。调查结果对违抗和合规研究的影响，