Blame Attribution and Compliance with COVID-19 Measures in Australia: The Theory of Planned Behaviour

Abstract

This study scrutinizes the influence of “blame attribution” and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) on compliance with COVID-19 public health measures in Australia. This study elucidates that blaming individuals rather than governments surprisingly augments support for governmental regulations, highlighting the complexities of blame attribution in shaping public adherence to health policies. It underscores the nuanced roles of TPB elements like subjective norms and behavioural control, revealing that feelings of empowerment, social responsibility, and recognizing personal roles in pandemic control enhance the inclination to support governmental directives. The outcomes emphasize the criticality of understanding blame attribution and TPB dynamics for devising efficacious communication and management strategies, promoting societal adherence to essential regulations and actions during health crises, and fostering a more resilient societal infrastructure for dealing with pandemics.