Globalization and Life Satisfaction of the Polish Population. Before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The main objective of the present research was to examine whether the attitude towards globalization and life satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic differs from the one observed beforehand. An additional goal was to find out whether the attitude to globalization during the pandemic can serve as a predictor of life satisfaction. On the basis of data obtained by Folk Theory of Social Change, we assume that the attitudes towards globalization and their correlation with life satisfaction are shaped by personal experiences with globalization. The survey was carried out on two independent sample groups of Poles: Sample 1 consisted of individuals tested in 2017 (n = 455), while Sample 2 involved individuals tested during the COVID-19 pandemics (n = 300). The mean level of life satisfaction and an accepting attitude towards globalization is lower in Sample 2 than in Sample 1. The analysis results of this reversion suggest that during the COVID-19 pandemic the Polish population's anxious attitude towards globalization is the predictor of life satisfaction β = -.20, p < .001, 95 % CI (-.35, -.10). The results confirm the assumptions of the FTSC in the matter of shaping attitudes towards globalization in developed countries. During the COVID-19 pandemic, life satisfaction is influenced by an anxious attitude triggered by a sense of vulnerability to the threats posed by globalization.

Attitudes Towards Globalization, Life Satisfaction, and Fear of Covid-19 Infection. Comparison of Emerging and Older Adults

“…Results from pre-pandemic studies have shown no correlation between attitudes towards globalization and life satisfaction (Jasiński et al, 2019). The results of research conducted during the first wave of the pandemic in Poland indicate that the context of the pandemic, understood as a manifestation of globalization, clearly strengthens the correlation between fearful attitude towards globalization and life satisfaction (Jasiński, Bąkowska, 2020). The data presented here, collected during the second and third waves of COVID-19, indicate that in both emerging adults and seniors the higher the sense of overall quality of life, the lower the intensity of fearful attitude towards globalization.…”

“…A fearful attitude is characterized by sensitivity to the possible dangers of globalization and a lack of confidence in the changes experienced in the modern world. Previous research has confirmed that the pandemic decreased the level of acceptance towards globalization and increased the strength of the negative correlation between fearful attitude towards globalization and life satisfaction (Jasiński, Bąkowska, 2020). However, the problem of determinants of attitudes towards globalization needs further study.…”

Does Covid-19 Accelerate the Cybernetic Revolution and Transition from E-Government to E-State?

“…2014, 2016b;Grinin L., Grinin A., and Korotayev 2017a), the sixth K-wave will not be frequently mentioned here. There are a huge number of articles about COVID-19 pandemic (caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its effect on society (e.g., Atkeson 2020;Baker et al 2020;Grinin 2020;Irshad 2020;Jasiński and Bąkowska 2020; see also further references below). In addition to research on possible strategies for dealing with the pandemic (including its consequences) and various medical aspects, many other issues are being studied, from economic consequences to the impact on the climate (Aslam et al 2020;Belhadi et al 2020;Brammer et al 2020;Chakraborty and Maity 2020;Forster et al 2020;Yoo and Managi 2020).…”