Problematic Politics: How Political Affiliation Influences Compliance with COVID-19 Guidelines
Mentor Information
Dr. Donna Lee Ettel-Gambino
Description
Introduction: Despite the national push over students' behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic, previous literature indicates that political affiliation may influence behavior. This study aims to examine differences among students' political affiliation and their compliance with CDC guidelines.
Methods and Materials: A causal-comparative approach was utilized. A MANOVA was conducted using SAS 9.4 (Cary, NC). The independent variable was the political party students identified with. The dependent variables included adherence to CDC guidelines: 1) hand hygiene; 2) mask compliance; 3) physical distancing; 4) positive COVID-19 result; 5) vaccination status; and 6) booster status.
Results: This study identified five statistically significant findings. (1) The proportion of students (93%) who reported wearing a mask indoors (p<0.0001); (2) the proportion of students (66%) who reported wearing a mask outdoors (p<0.0001); (3) the proportion of students (60%) who reported physically distancing in groups (p<0.009); (4) the proportion of students (89%) who reported receiving the full dosage of the vaccine (p<0.0001); (5) the proportion of students (47%) who reported receiving a booster immunization (p<0.0001).
Discussion: Findings showed that students who identified themselves as liberal were more likely to be fully vaccinated/receive the booster compared to their conservative counterparts. Conservative students were less likely to wear a mask indoors and outdoors as opposed to their liberal cohorts. Additionally, more liberal students reported social distancing while in large groups.
Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of political dialogue in furthering public health and individual well-being. It demonstrates the importance of leveraging political policies and conversations in the interest of improved quality of health and life.
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Tampa
Problematic Politics: How Political Affiliation Influences Compliance with COVID-19 Guidelines
Introduction: Despite the national push over students' behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic, previous literature indicates that political affiliation may influence behavior. This study aims to examine differences among students' political affiliation and their compliance with CDC guidelines.
Methods and Materials: A causal-comparative approach was utilized. A MANOVA was conducted using SAS 9.4 (Cary, NC). The independent variable was the political party students identified with. The dependent variables included adherence to CDC guidelines: 1) hand hygiene; 2) mask compliance; 3) physical distancing; 4) positive COVID-19 result; 5) vaccination status; and 6) booster status.
Results: This study identified five statistically significant findings. (1) The proportion of students (93%) who reported wearing a mask indoors (p<0.0001); (2) the proportion of students (66%) who reported wearing a mask outdoors (p<0.0001); (3) the proportion of students (60%) who reported physically distancing in groups (p<0.009); (4) the proportion of students (89%) who reported receiving the full dosage of the vaccine (p<0.0001); (5) the proportion of students (47%) who reported receiving a booster immunization (p<0.0001).
Discussion: Findings showed that students who identified themselves as liberal were more likely to be fully vaccinated/receive the booster compared to their conservative counterparts. Conservative students were less likely to wear a mask indoors and outdoors as opposed to their liberal cohorts. Additionally, more liberal students reported social distancing while in large groups.
Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of political dialogue in furthering public health and individual well-being. It demonstrates the importance of leveraging political policies and conversations in the interest of improved quality of health and life.
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