This study investigates the relationship between adherence to COVID-19 containment measures, the value and effort associated with adherence, and the experience of boredom. Using a high-powered study (N = 1553 US participants), the researchers found that higher compliance with behavioral recommendations was linked to more boredom, but that high value and low effort directly decreased boredom. These findings held across different time points, US states with varying restrictions, and individual differences in boredom proneness.

Corinna S. Martarelli, Wanja Wolff, Maik Bieleke