Compliance with COVID-19 rules and regulations during the global pandemic 2020-2021

This research focuses on the self-reported experiences of Canadian residents related to COVID-19 restrictions. These individuals completed online anonymous self-reporting surveys. The research intention was to determine how respondents rationalized and interpreted their behaviour. Self-determination theory was used to guide the design of the survey and the analysis of the motivators behind (non-)/compliance. Sociological criminology theories commonly found in introductory criminology textbooks were used to analyse and compare the self-reported behaviour of the respondents with the expected behaviour predicted by the theories. The qualitative data demonstrated themes from three theoretical constructs: intrinsic motivation of personal belief and desire; intrinsic motivation of social connectedness; and extrinsic motivation of economic pressure. With many of these themes being congruent with the findings of other research relating to behaviour during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, this study adds to the growing pool of academic research on the topic of the lived realties of Canadian residents.