Public risk perceptions and behavioural responses during COVID-19

Summary

This study aims to examine the risk perceptions and behavioural responses of the public during the early phase of the COVID-19 epidemic in the UK.

Between 17 and 18 March 2020, we ran a cross-sectional population survey of 2,108 UK adults via YouGov to better understand how people were feeling about the outbreak and whether they were willing and/or able to follow the government's guiance around social distancing, self-isolation and working from home.

 

risk perception outputs

Interim Report

Rapid results from this survey were released as 'Report 10: Public response to UK Government recommendations on COVID-19: population survey, 17-18 March 2020' from the Imperial College COVID-19 Response Team.

Read more on the MRC GIDA website

Publication

Further analysis from this study showed that the ability to adopt and comply with certain infection control measures was lower among those who are most economically disadvantaged in society. You can find more about these results in this open-access, peer-reviewed manuscript "Early perceptions and behavioural responses during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey of UK adults" by Atchison et al (BMJ Open, Dec 2020).

Read the publication

New research survey

As restrictions start to ease, we decided to carry out a follow-on research survey between 19 June to 3 July to better understand how communities viewed the latest measures in place, and find out people’s experiences during lockdown.

The survey was open to anyone living in the UK aged 18+, but we were particularly keen to hear from:

  • People who have been shielding or advised to shield (stay at home and avoid face-to-face contact) due to being at greater risk of severe illness from coronavirus
  • People who live with a chronic condition
  • People who may not have previously taken part in research
  • Anyone else who is being heavily affected by the outbreak

 These views are very important to the COVID-19 outbreak but often underrepresented in research. 

> Go to the research survey opportunity page to find out more.

The survey closed at 11pm on Friday 3 July 2020.

Back to our COVID-19 Research activity