Prosocial Orientation of Russians During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Caring for Others and Yourself

Abstract

To mitigate the potentially devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital to identify psychosocial and moral resources. The care, preservation, protection, and well-being of social communities are attributes of prosocial behavior that can be such a resource. The purpose of the study is to identify the features of prosocial orientation of Russian youth during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to identify strategies for prosocial behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample consisted of 447 people. The study was conducted in May 2020 in the form of an online survey of subjects using Google Forms (“Moral Foundations Questionnaire method” and “Portrait Values Questionnaire”). The research made it possible to establish that Russians were dominated by norms of care, fairness, purity; values of benevolence-universalism, security, and self-direction. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prosocial orientation of Russians may manifest itself in the following behavioral strategies: proactive prosocial strategy of “caring for others” (true altruism, expressed in forms of volunteering, helping a stranger, and charity despite the risk of contracting a coronavirus infection); egoistic strategy of prosocial behavior “self-care through caring for others” (volunteering based on self-development; helping a stranger to improve your own psychological well-being); conventional prosocial strategy “self-care” (self-isolation and preventive behavior). In the long run, it is necessary to identify personal and environmental resources that allowed people to effectively implement a prosocial self-isolation strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as various forms of volunteerism.

Мотивы Волонтеров: Контексты До И Во Время Пандемии COVID-19

“…These findings are consistent with previous research suggesting that the structure of volunteering motives is not monolithic (Mousa, Freeland-Graves 2017;Kulik 2021). Before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, two behavioral options, i. e., 'giving' and 'exchanging' help, were possible for Russian volunteers, which is consistent with the research by Kislyakov and Shmeleva (2021). This study revealed that 'pandemic' volunteering could be of an ad hoc nature, becoming integrated into people's everyday lives.…”

“…In this case, it is a manifestation of a proactive behavioral strategy of 'caring for others' (true altruism, expressed in forms of volunteering, helping a stranger, and charity despite the risk of contracting a coronavirus infection) as the prosocial orientation of Russians during the COVID-19 pandemic (Kislyakov, Shmeleva 2021).…”

Family Life in the Time of COVID

“…'Responsible citizenship' seemed to be an important aspect of their identity for some people during the pandemic (Kislyakov and Shmeleva 2021;Kholyavin 2020;Tartakovskaya 2021). In our sample, non-routine workers explained that they voluntarily followed public guidelines and were careful not to put others at risk (thus adhering to the WHO ethics: 'no one is safe until everyone is safe').…”

Analysis of the impact of the crisis caused by Covid-19 in the intercultural environment with reference to economic factors

“…Germany also emphasised its strength through humanitarian actions 57 , such as donations and ensuring transparency and access to vaccines, even in countries that are not as strong and do not have sufficient financial resources. Kislyakov and Shmeleva (2021) showed that Russia's prosocial orientation during the Covid-19 pandemic, highlighting an understanding of diversity and caring for others and oneself, as one of the intercultural competencies. However, the decision regarding the obligation to vaccinate solely with the Russian vaccine Sputnik, enforced a strict and professional attitude of Russia and the confidence in its resources (such as the Sputnik vaccine).…”