Inequalities and identity processes in crises: Recommendations for facilitating safe response to the COVID‐19 pandemic

Templeton, Anne; Tekin, Selin; Hoerst, Carina; Vestergren, Sara; Davidson, Louise; Ballentyne, Susie; Madsen, Hannah; Choudhury, Sanjeedah

doi:10.1111/bjso.12400

Cited by 90 publications

(118 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Low SES or education groups also face higher barriers to compliance with social distancing rules, such as staying home or avoiding public transport, due to economic hardship and the fear of losing income ( Webster et al, 2020 ). Social distancing non-compliance among these groups may be even higher in contexts that lack a strong social safety net or compensation for lost wages ( Bodas and Peleg, 2020 ; Coatzee and Kagee, 2020 ; Templeton et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-compliance with COVID-19-related public health measures among young adults in Switzerland: Insights from a longitudinal cohort study

Nivette

Ribeaud

Murray

et al. 2021

Social Science & Medicine

476

467

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Rationale Adolescents and young adults were identified internationally as a group with potentially low compliance rates with public health measures aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although non-compliance research during pandemics has typically focused on concurrent correlates, less is known about how prior social and psychological risk factors are associated with non-compliance during pandemics. Objective This paper leverages a prospective-longitudinal cohort study with data before and during the pandemic to describe patterns of non-compliance with COVID- 19 related public health measures in young adults and to identify which characteristics increase the risk of non-compliance. Methods Data came from an ongoing cohort study in Zurich, Switzerland (n=737). Non-compliance with public health measures and concurrent correlates were measured at age 22. Antecedent sociodemographic, social, and psychological factors were measured at ages 15-20. Young adults generally complied with COVID-19 public health measures, although non-compliance with some measures (e.g., cleaning/disinfecting mobile phones, standing 1.5-2 meters apart) was relatively higher. Results Non-compliance, especially with hygiene-related measures, was more prevalent in males, and in individuals with higher education, higher SES, and a nonmigrant background. Non-compliance was higher in young adults who had previously scored high on indicators of “antisocial potential,” including low acceptance of moral rules, pre-pandemic legal cynicism, low shame/guilt, low self-control, engagement in delinquent behaviors, and association with delinquent peers. Young adults with low trust, including in the government’s measures for fighting the virus, also complied less. Conclusions In order to increase voluntary compliance with COVID-19 measures, public health campaigns should implement strategies that foster moral obligation and trust in authorities, or leverage trustworthy individuals in the community to disseminate information. For young adults with low self-control, self-monitoring, environmental restructuring, or nudging may increase compliance. Long-term investments into integrating youth with antisocial potential into society may decrease rule-breaking behaviors, including during pandemics when compliance saves lives.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-compliance with COVID-19-related public health measures among young adults in Switzerland: Insights from a longitudinal cohort study

Nivette

Ribeaud

Murray

et al. 2021

Social Science & Medicine

476

467

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The current context exacerbates social inequalities that already exist, with some groups facing even more precarious situations (e.g. women, racialized people, people living in poverty, people from the LGBTQ community) ( Bowleg, 2020 ; Gausman & Langer, 2020 ; Templeton et al, 2020 ; Tircheret & Zorn, 2020 ). However, even families that are not generally identified as being vulnerable or at risk of neglect find themselves in situations where it is difficult to meet the needs of children.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How societal responses to COVID-19 could contribute to child neglect

Bérubé

Clément

Lafantaisie

et al. 2021

Child Abuse & Neglect

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Highlights COVID-19 lockdown left parents as the sole respondents for their children’s needs. We examine parents’ reports on the response their child received to their needs during the lockdown. Parents of older children reported less fulfillment of children’s needs. Societies must ensure pandemics do not create context for child neglect.

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“…Staying home and other aspects of lockdown were costly and onerous for most people, and much more for some groups than for others. 24 Before lockdown in the UK, some doubted whether the public had the mental strength to endure these privations over time. This was most clearly expressed in early March by the Chief Medical Officer, who stated ‘There is a risk if we go too early people will understandably get fatigued and it will be difficult to sustain this over time’.…”

Section: Adherence To the Required Public Health Behavioursmentioning

confidence: 99%

Public behaviour in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: understanding the role of group processes

et al. 2020

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Background In the absence of a vaccine, behaviour by the public is key to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, as with other types of crises and emergencies, there have been doubts about the extent to which the public are able to engage effectively with the required behaviour. These doubts are based on outdated models of group psychology. Aims and argument We analyse the role of group processes in the COVID-19 pandemic in three domains: recognition of threat, adherence by the public to the required public health behaviours (and the factors that increase such adherence) and actions of the many community mutual aid groups that arose during lockdown. In each case, we draw upon the accumulated research on behaviour in emergencies and disasters, as well as the latest findings in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, to show that explanations in terms of social identity processes make better sense of the patterns of evidence than alternative explanations. Conclusions If behaviour in the pandemic is a function of mutable group processes rather than fixed tendencies, then behavioural change is possible. There was evidence of significant change in behaviour from the public, particularly in the early days of the pandemic. Understanding the role of group processes means we can help design more effective interventions to support collective resilience in the public in the face of the pandemic and other threats. We draw out from the evidence a set of recommendations on facilitating the public response to COVID-19 by harnessing group processes.

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Inequalities and identity processes in crises: Recommendations for facilitating safe response to the COVID‐19 pandemic

Cited by 90 publications

References 48 publications

Non-compliance with COVID-19-related public health measures among young adults in Switzerland: Insights from a longitudinal cohort study

Non-compliance with COVID-19-related public health measures among young adults in Switzerland: Insights from a longitudinal cohort study

How societal responses to COVID-19 could contribute to child neglect

Public behaviour in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: understanding the role of group processes

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