The association of cultural and contextual factors with social contact avoidance during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

As a first line of defense to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, people reduced social contacts to avoid pathogen exposure. Using a panel of countries, this research suggests that this was amplified in societies characterized by high social support and future orientation. People reacted more strongly in dense environments; government orders had more effect in high power distance societies. Conversely, a focus on accomplishments was associated with lower changes. Understanding people’s actual behaviors in response to health threats across societies is of great importance for epidemiology, public health, international business, and for the functioning of humanity as a whole.

The Contributions of Pandemic Severity, Government Stringency, Cultural Values and Internet Usage to Post-traumatic Stress Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Analysis of Data From 35 Countries

“…These dimensions were power distance, masculinity-femininity and uncertainty avoidance. Power distance reflects the extent to which a society follows a strict hierarchy and accepts inequalities; this parameter was associated with adherence to government restrictions (Messner, 2021 ) and reduced numbers of hospital or ICU admissions (Duarte et al, 2022 ). Masculinity-femininity measures the extent to which a society is oriented toward achievement, assertiveness and competition, as opposed to cooperation and nurturing; high masculinity scores are associated with the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths at a national level (Chen and Biswas, 2022 ).…”

“…It has also been observed that cultural values such as collectivism shape the appraisal of trauma and influence both the emergence and persistence of PTSD symptoms (Jobson, 2009 ). Culture can also influence the level of social support provided to those exposed to pandemic-related traumatic stress (Messner, 2021 ), and this can protect against the emergence of post-traumatic stress (Gentry et al, 2022 ). Finally, several dimensions of culture are associated with the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and this might exert an indirect effect on PTSD through the traumatic effects of quarantine, hospitalization, or bereavement (Chen and Biswas, 2022 ; Duarte et al, 2022 ).…”

Culture and COVID-19: Impact of Cross-Cultural Dimensions on Behavioral Responses

“…Given the extremely low power distance in the US and strong data protection and privacy laws preventing government use of individual data [61], no such app even took shape in the US. In a separate study [52], it was demonstrated that government-induced social contact restrictions were higher in India and Namibia (high power distant countries) compared to the US or Germany (countries with low power distance). Another study of several European countries showed that power distance had a significant negative effect on the rate of increase in COVID-19 [62].…”

“…There is some emerging evidence [52] that in societies with high power distance, people's responses to mobility restrictions instituted by governments amidst the COVID-19 pandemic have generally been more favorable, compared with countries having a lower power distance. Subscribing to the values of power distance means that individuals are willing to acknowledge the role of the government and willingly comply with many tough measures instituted amidst the pandemic such as protracted lockdowns [7].…”

“…Cultures high on short-term orientation show a preference for immediate rewards and individualism, while those with a longer-term orientation tend to focus on longterm goals and are more likely to be collectivist in orientation [27]. Having a future orientation has also been tied to protective behaviors such as engaging in social contact avoidance [52]. There is some evidence that a future orientation is linked to people's abilities to set goals for their future health [93]; thus, it should follow that even with regard to the pandemic, a future orientation should be instrumental in setting goals that move the needle towards a pandemic-free world.…”