Skip to main content

Table 4 Facilitator (additional supports needed) subthemes clustered under COM-B components and supporting quotes (Q3)

From: Facilitators and barriers to social distancing for young people during the COVID-19 pandemic

COM-B component

Subthemes

Sample quote

Psychological Capability

Clear and consistent guidelines

Adjusting lifestyle and social activities

“Clearer guidelines. There are too many contradictions about!” (participant 177)

Physical Capability

Environmental supports to facilitate and encourage behaviour

“Perspex glass divisions in indoor spaces, areas marked with tape outside, maybe a technological reminder that youre standing too close to someone? Like an app” (participant 305)

Social Opportunity

Supportive beliefs and values of others

“If everyone had the same goal in mind. Lots of people don’t believe in the virus or in the prevention measures” (participant 130)

Physical Opportunity

Automatic Motivation

Enforcement of rules with repercussions

“More clear or strict guidelines, if it is necessary. If everyone is forced to do it, then it would be easier.” (participant 139)

Reflective Motivation

Increasing awareness of the benefits versus risks

Sense that nothing (more) can help

“More public understanding of the severity of coronavirus. Most people are bored of it now and seem to act like it doesn’t exist anymore.” (participant 158)

“Nothing it’s always going to be hard” (participant 68)

  1. Note. ‘-‘denotes absence of data to support the aligned COM component