# Pandemic lockdowns: who feels coerced and why? - a study on perceived coercion, perceived pressures and procedural justice during the UK COVID-19 lockdowns

## TL;DR

This study explores how people in the UK felt coerced during the COVID-19 lockdowns and how these feelings affected their mental well-being.

## Contribution

It is the first qualitative study to investigate perceived coercion in relation to pandemic lockdowns.

## Key findings

- Perceived coercion was linked to acceptance of lockdown restrictions.
- Themes like choice, control, and fairness influenced psychological responses.
- Equity and clear public health messaging are important for future pandemic preparedness.

## Abstract

This study examined perceptions of coercion, pressures and procedural injustice and how such perceptions influenced psychological well-being in those who experienced a UK COVID-19 lockdown, with a view to preparing for the possibility of future lockdowns.

40 individuals categorised as perceiving the lockdown(s) as either highly or lowly coercive took part in one of six asynchronous virtual focus groups (AVFGs).

Using thematic analysis, the following key themes were identified in participants’ discussions: (1) Choice, control and freedom; (2) threats; (3) fairness; (4) circumstantial factors; and (5) psychological factors.

As the first qualitative study to investigate the psychological construct of perceived coercion in relation to COVID-19 lockdowns, its findings suggest that the extent to which individuals perceived pandemic-related lockdowns as coercive may have been linked to their acceptance of restrictions. Preparing for future pandemics should include consideration of perceptions of coercion and efforts to combat this, particularly in relation to differences in equity, in addition to clarity of public health messaging and public engagement.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-024-17985-1.