Stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives! Confidence in government moderates the negative effects of staying at home on mental health

How might confidence in government shape the negative association often found between stay-home mandates and mental health? Using a nationally representative sample of UK residents (N = 32,108), we showed that although the stay-home order during the COVID-19 pandemic lowered people's life satisfaction and increased their mental distress, this was moderated by confidence in government. Specifically, the mental health toll of movement restrictions was reliably reduced amongst citizens who had a high degree of confidence in their government, especially when the restrictions were stringent and when people were strongly adhering to this mandate. We conclude with recommendations that could help to optimize public trust in government. •Stay home mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic can undermine mental health.•Confidence in government helps to mitigate this adverse effect.•The confidence effect is visible when mandate is stringent and people adhere to it.