Ideological and psychological predictors of COVID-19-related collective action, opinions, and health compliance across three nations

Abstract

Until vaccines or treatments are widely available and used, behavioral change (e.g. social distancing) on an unparalleled collective scale is the chief way to curb the spread of COVID-19. Relying on ideology and collective action models as conceptual frameworks, in the present study the role of ideological and psychological factors in COVID-19-related opinions, health compliance behaviors, and collective action were examined in three countries. Results, examining country as a moderator, showed some politically conservative orientations, especially social dominance orientation, relate to less collective action, less support of measures to manage COVID-19, and lower compliance. Variables, including empathy for those affected by COVID-19 and group efficacy also predicted COVID-19-related attitudes and behavior. Belief in science and perceived risk also emerged as key factors to impact compliance-related attitudes and behaviors. Implications for motivating collective compliance are discussed.

Analytic Thinking and Political Orientation in the Corona Crisis

“…On the other hand, based on some evidence outlined in the introduction, which suggested the possibility of politization and, consequently, polarization of COVID-19 issues, we expected to find some degree of variability in the relationship between political ideology and COVID-19 policy support and, possibly, preventive behaviors across countries. Indeed, in line with previous research, the strongest correlations were observed in the case of the USA for physical distancing and policy support (see also Choma et al, 2021).…”

Why are conservatives less concerned about the coronavirus (COVID-19) than liberals? Comparing political, experiential, and partisan messaging explanations

“…The studies were conducted entirely on cross-sectional U.S. samples. Although cross-sectional research is a common feature of mediational studies and is a useful method for drawing inferences (e.g., Choma et al, 2021 ; Sinclair et al, 2016 ), it does offer clear limitations. At a broad level, it is possible that different and independent causal paths exist.…”

“…Second, it may be that conservatives hold political beliefs relevant to the pandemic that cause them to want to dismiss the pandemic as less important. Much research on motivated ideological cognition shows how pre-existing ideological beliefs motivate behavior, shape beliefs, and guide interpretations of events ( Choma et al, 2021 ; Clark & Winegard, 2020 ; Conway, Zubrod, & Chan, 2020 ; Ditto et al, 2019 ; Honeycutt & Jussim, 2020 ; Jost et al, 2003 ). Thus, it is possible that conservatives' relative lack of concern comes from the particular way that their pre-existing ideologies might interface with the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Proximal versus distal ecological stress: Socio-ecological influences on political freedom, well-being, and societal confidence in 159 nations

“…For example, consider the cultural and social psychology of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Much research and theorizing has suggested that disease outbreaks influence cultural beliefs, with a largely unresolved debate centering around the potential causal influence of disease on ideological conservatism (e.g., Beall et al, 2016;Brenner & Inbar, 2015;Helzer & Pizarro, 2011;Martin, 2020;Oosterhoff et al, 2018;Shook et al, 2017;Tybur et al, 2016) and sometimes conflicting results for COVID-19 research in particular (e.g., Brownstein, 2020;Choma et al, 2021;Karwowski et al, 2020;Zettler et al, 2020).…”