Ideal types’ strategies related to handling early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic: A thematic analysis of comments from an international survey

Abstract

People (re)act differently when facing the pandemic. Multiple opinions about COVID-19 and related issues prevail, both in personal meetings and in (social) media. This article aims to illuminate different ideal types and handling strategies in early stages of the pandemic. A thematic Braun and Clark, and Weber inspired analysis of qualitative data from an international web-based survey was carried out in two steps. First, five ideal types related to handling the COVID-19 pandemic were constructed: the Stickler for the rules, the Challenger, the Fact hunter, the Idealist, and the Entertainer. Second, the ideal types were represented throughout four themes: Divided opinions on politico-medico restrictions, Multifaceted picture of the pandemic, Social media as a lookout point and source of insight, and The future between hope and fear. The results illustrated the complexity of people’s understanding of, (re)actions to and handling of the pandemic.

Scandinavian Nurses’ Use of Social Media during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Berger and Luckman Inspired Analysis of a Qualitative Interview Study

“…However, risks of further reinforcing inequality and the digital divide [ 20 , 59 ] must be prevented through adequate policies, not least when it comes to education online, which the pandemic ‘forced upon’ society where attempts were made to minimize the disruption of students’ learning [ 59 ]. Additionally, the current pandemic has been a source of psychosocial stress that has added on nurses’ burden [ 3 , 60 ], where social media can be seen as both a resource facilitating fast access to timely information [ 61 ] and as a source of additional stress, e.g., through information overload and risks of misinformation [ 62 , 63 ]. Nonetheless, it is interesting that nurses in the current study did not support the idea of using social media and virtual education with patients in general and during the pandemic.…”

Comparative study of three alcohol-related harm reduction programs: an ideal-type analysis

“…(Perrin, 2022) In reality, addiction in women is particularly stigmatized, and women users run a number of risks: being seen as bad mothers and women of bad character, not to mention the risk of abuse and violence. (15)(16)(17)(18)(19) As a result of this stigmatization, women seek treatment less than men. (Perrin et al, 2021) Socially included people are also generally afraid to reveal their addictions, as they run the risk of losing credibility and responsibility in their work environment, or even of being made redundant, and of coming into con ict with their family and friends.…”

“…The use of ideal-types makes it possible to simplify reality by producing abstract categories in order to de ne typologies (Paugam, 2014). The objective of this tool, very widely used in the elds of health sociology (Gerhardt et al, 1987;Stapley et al, 2022) and public health (Fredriksson & Tritter, 2017;Glasdam & Stjernswärd, 2024), is to describe the contours of a category in order to understand and theorize certain complex phenomena. An ideal type is formed based on the salient characteristics of a given phenomenon; it is a construct of ideas used to intellectually order social reality.…”

“…An ideal type is formed based on the salient characteristics of a given phenomenon; it is a construct of ideas used to intellectually order social reality. (15) Although this tool is theoretical and the typical pro les are not found as such in the observed phenomena, they can be used to create typologies that reduce the complexity of reality and simplify comparison. (Vigour, 2016)…”