Social Distancing: A Concept Analysis
akhlāq-i pizishkī i.e., Medical Ethics,
Vol. 18 (1403),
29 July 2024
,
Page 1-20
https://doi.org/10.22037/mej.v18i-.44969
Abstract
Background and Aim: With the beginning of the pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus, the concept of social distancing received a lot of attention and was used in many public health announcements. However, this concept is vague and inexpressive and in the scientific literature, there is no consensus about what is called social distancing. Considering the multi-dimensional view and the ambiguity in different dimensions of social distancing, the need for further development and efforts to achieve a deep perception of this concept is felt. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of analyzing the concept of social distancing and determining its dimensions and characteristics.
Methods: The analysis of the concept of social distancing, based on Walker and Avant's approach, was done in eight steps: Choosing a concept; determining the purpose of analysis; identifying the uses of the concept; defining attributes, antecedents and consequences; identifying model, borderline and contrary cases and finally, empirical referents. The articles within the time span of 2019-22 were searched in electronic databases PubMed, ProQuest, CINAHL, Irandoc, SID and Google Scholar search engine, using the keywords social distancing and social distance.
Ethical Considerations: In the current research, the ethical aspects of the review study have been observed, including the originality of the texts, honesty and trustworthiness.
Results: The result of the search was 480 articles, which were screened according to the research criteria and finally, 23 articles that had repeatedly been used to define or describe the antecedents, characteristics and consequences of the desired concept were analyzed. After analyzing the studies, the concept of social distancing was found to have certain qualities: Preventing the transmission of infectious diseases, recommending staying at home and being quarantined, being culture-oriented and the passage of time.
Conclusion: In this study, a definition of social distancing was obtained, which is also supported by the literature. According to this definition, social distancing is a health protection and preventive measure, which prevents or reduces the transmission of contagious diseases through recommending keeping physical distance from others, staying at home and being quarantined during the outbreak of infectious diseases. Future studies can use this definition in designing preventive interventions related to the adverse consequences of this concept. Furthermore, this definition can be the basis for better teaching this phenomenon to students. Since concepts such as social distancing are always associated with issues like changing social relations and ethical challenges, the need for more reflection on the application of this concept is felt, due to the lack of respect for individuals’ independence.
- Social Distancing
- Social Distance
- Concept Analysis
- Walker & Avant’s Approach
How to Cite
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