INTRODUCTION To limit the spread of COVID-19, many countries, including Belgium, have installed physical distancing measures. Yet, adherence to these newly installed behavioral measures has been described as challenging and effortful. Based on the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model, this study performed an in-depth evaluation of when, why, and how people deviated from the physical distancing measures. METHODS An online mixed-method study was conducted among Belgian adults (N = 2055) in the beginning of May 2020. Participants were recruited via an open call through email and social media platforms, using snowball sampling. Conditions wherein people deviated from the physical distancing measures were assessed by means of an open-ended question. HAPA determinants were assessed in a quantitative way. RESULTS Half of the sample reported to deviate from the measures. Further, deviation from the measures was associated with each determinant outlined by the HAPA. Findings highlight that many people deviated from the measures because of their need for social contact. The majority of the people who deviated from the measures stated that they carefully weighed the risks of their behavior. CONCLUSIONS Need for social contact pushed people to deviate from physical distancing measures in a deliberate manner. Potential areas for future interventions aimed at promoting adherence to physical distancing measures and enhancing psychosocial well-being are discussed.

中文翻译：

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在 COVID-19 大流行期间，人们何时、为什么以及如何偏离身体距离措施：一项混合方法研究。

简介 为限制 COVID-19 的传播，包括比利时在内的许多国家都采取了保持身体距离的措施。然而，坚持这些新安装的行为措施被描述为具有挑战性和费力。基于健康行动过程方法 (HAPA) 模型，本研究对人们何时、为什么以及如何偏离物理距离措施进行了深入评估。方法 2020 年 5 月上旬在比利时成年人 (N = 2055) 中进行了一项在线混合方法研究。参与者是通过电子邮件和社交媒体平台公开征集的，使用雪球抽样。通过开放式问题评估人们偏离物理距离措施的情况。HAPA 决定因素以定量方式进行评估。结果 一半的样本报告偏离了测量值。此外，与这些措施的偏差与 HAPA 概述的每个决定因素有关。调查结果强调，许多人因为需要社交联系而偏离了这些措施。大多数偏离措施的人表示，他们仔细权衡了自己行为的风险。结论 社会接触的需要促使人们故意偏离保持身体距离的措施。讨论了旨在促进遵守物理距离措施和增强社会心理健康的未来干预措施的潜在领域。调查结果强调，许多人因为需要社交联系而偏离了这些措施。大多数偏离措施的人表示，他们仔细权衡了自己行为的风险。结论 社会接触的需要促使人们故意偏离保持身体距离的措施。讨论了旨在促进遵守物理距离措施和增强社会心理健康的未来干预措施的潜在领域。调查结果强调，许多人因为需要社交联系而偏离了这些措施。大多数偏离措施的人表示，他们仔细权衡了自己行为的风险。结论 社会接触的需要促使人们故意偏离保持身体距离的措施。讨论了旨在促进遵守物理距离措施和增强社会心理健康的未来干预措施的潜在领域。