How Pandemic Fatigue and Protective Behavior Are Related to One Another Over Time

What is it about?

During the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020–April 2023), public health strategies relied heavily on protective behaviors such as hand hygiene, mask-wearing, and physical distancing to reduce virus spread. The effectiveness of these measures depended on widespread adherence, but concerns arose that people might experience “pandemic fatigue,” which describes a sense of weariness and demotivation toward following recommended behaviors. Previous research suggested that pandemic fatigue could reduce engagement in protective behaviors, but it remained unclear whether following these behaviors might also affect fatigue. This study surveyed 1,488 employed adults in Germany over 20 months (May 2021–December 2022) to examine how pandemic fatigue and protective behaviors are related to one another over time within individuals. Results revealed a two-way relationship between pandemic fatigue and engagement in protective behavior. Higher fatigue in one month was associated with lower engagement in protective behaviors the next month. Importantly, the reverse was also found: engaging in protective behaviors predicted lower pandemic fatigue in the following month. These findings suggest that following protective measures does not inevitably increase fatigue and may even help reduce such feelings by giving individuals a sense of purpose, control, and contribution to collective health.

Featured Image

Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Understanding the two-way relationship between fatigue and adherence to recommended protective behavior helps public health authorities design better strategies to sustain protective behaviors during long-lasting health crises. Instead of assuming that adherence automatically causes fatigue, interventions can emphasize the potential psychological benefits of protective behaviors to prevent fatigue. This approach can help maintain public compliance and protect communities in future pandemics.