Amid Armed Conflict: Perceptions and the Psychological Impact of Covid-19 in Western Libya

Abstract

Global data on the perceptions and psychological impact of the Covid-19 pandemic suggests the outbreak and restriction measures have had significant negative welfare effects. However, negative psychological symptoms do not emerge with the same intensity for all countries. In western Libya, citizens live under the dual threat of armed conflict and Covid -19. The situation there, merits investigation of citizens’ sensitivity to the pandemic under a pre-existing crisis. The current research aims to contribute to global data on the beliefs, perceptions and psychological impact of the pandemic. It aims also to extend current understanding by examining how coping strategies namely, perceived coping self-efficacy and perceived social support, moderate the effects of the two crises. Furthermore, it intends to explore the additive effect, if any, the outbreak has on the psychological impact of armed conflict. An online survey targeting people in the region during the first surge in Covid-19 cases was completed by a final sample of 717 respondents. Results show the negative psychological impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is not globally consistent. While citizens of western Libya share the normative belief that their government’s response to the outbreak is insufficient, their support for preventative measures to curb the pandemic diverges negatively from global trends. The ongoing civil war has compounded the already dire social and economic conditions, resulting in Covid-19 having little additive effect on citizens’ psychological wellbeing. Moreover, it was found that citizens do not have adequate personal coping mechanisms to deal with the impact of armed conflict. However, drawing on social capital, in the form of perceived social support, is thought to buffer the impact of conflict, though the socio-political and economic circumstances may limit this. The findings are discussed in relation to strategy implications for the government and the international Covid-19 response in Libya.

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“…The ongoing civil unrest from the pandemic exacerbated dire social-economic con tions, resulting in COVID-19 having an additional effect on the psychological well-bei of people. Tresh [25] stated that perceived social support helps decrease the stress tha…”

“…The ongoing civil unrest from the pandemic exacerbated dire social-economic conditions, resulting in COVID-19 having an additional effect on the psychological well-being of people. Tresh [25] stated that perceived social support helps decrease the stress that is brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. A stressful situation (i.e., pandemic and confinement) together with critical events (e.g., illness and death of a friend/relative due to COVID-19) increases anxiety levels and influences the perception of self-efficacy [26].…”