A survey conducted by researchers at the University of Sheffield and Ulster University has revealed that young males are most likely to break lockdown rules.
Teams based at the universities surveyed almost 2,000 people aged between 13 and 24 years old. Around 50% of male participants had met friends or family members during lockdown, compared to 25% of females.
In light of the findings of the study, research teams have called for the government to address the problem by targeting younger audiences through improved advertising campaigns.
Of those questioned, over 900 people said that they were feeling more anxious, and rates of anxiety were particularly high among those with a key worker as a parent. People who experienced depression were more likely to flout lockdown rules, while those with anxiety were more likely to follow social distancing measures and wash their hands frequently.
Dr Liat Levita, from the University of Sheffield, explained that mental health is not a valid reason to break the rules, but it might help health experts, scientists and politicians understand why some people are more likely to ignore the rules than others.
The survey showed that 150 out of 281 young males aged between 19 and 24 had met up with friends during lockdown. A fifth had been warned by police. This group was also most likely to think that they would not be affected by Covid-19. Participants also said that it wasn’t worth their while sticking to the measures laid out by the government.
Statistics published by the National Police Chief’s Council found that a third of people fined by police during lockdown were aged between 18 and 24. Of this group, 80% were male.
The Department for Health and Social Care has once again urged the public to be aware of the government’s campaign encouraging people to stay at home with the exception of exercising and shopping for essentials and to maintain social distancing measures. Young people are less likely to develop life-threatening symptoms of Covid-19, but socialising with friends increases the risk of passing the virus on to people who may be susceptible to severe symptoms and it risks the R, the infection rate, rising again.