Community dimensions and emotions in the era of COVID‐19

Abstract

Following an ecological perspective, reactions to a disaster—such as the COVID‐19 pandemic—should be analysed in the interdependence between individual and community dimensions. The present study aims to analyse individual emotional dimensions (anxiety, joy, fear or depressive feelings) and their community dimensions (connectedness, emotional sharing and solidarity) with a longitudinal approach among university students from Italian universities. Participants were 746 university students at t1 (during the lockdown) and 361 at t2 (after the lockdown) recruited in six Italian universities from different areas of Italy. Comparing emotional dimensions in the two times, t2 is characterized by a generalized ambiguity: both happiness or joy because of the end of limitations and a kind of ‘post‐lockdown anxiety’ because of a sense of individual inadequacy in facing the return to normality, conducting daily activities and attending community spaces. Data confirms that after the so‐called ‘honeymoon phase’ in community dimensions (first phase of t1 time), a sort of ‘depressive reaction’ arises at t2: Italian university students seem more aware of the need for individual and social responsibility and that many events are not under their personal control. The reconstruction phase and exit from the emergency are perceived as necessary but also as a difficult and risky period. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement .

Well-Being and the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…From a methodological point of view, this review mainly focused on studies that used quantitative or mixed method designs. However, as of 2021, studies using more precise and in-depth qualitative analyses have begun to be published (Di Napoli et al, 2021; Marzana et al, 2021; Migliorini et al, 2021; Procentese et al, 2021).…”

“…Given this lack of results, the authors developed a top-down process (Gregory, 1990) to define an exploratory search question based on the discipline’s main focuses according to the table of contents presented by the most significant community psychology manuals edited in the UK (Kagan et al, 2011), the US (Kloos et al, 2012), and Italy (Arcidiacono et al, 2021), in addition to being guided by the APA Handbook of Community Psychology (Bond et al, 2017). These words were further matched with codes that emerged in bottom-up studies of Italian community psychology scholars conducted during the first Italian COVID-19 lockdown between March 7 and May 4, 2020 (Di Napoli et al, 2021; Marzana et al, 2021; Migliorini et al, 2021).…”

Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Consumers’ Impulse Buying: The Moderating Role of Moderate Thinking

“…To answer the research questions in this study, we developed a moderated mediation model to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on impulse buying and tested the relevant hypotheses through three experiments. Specifically, the COVID-19 pandemic as an external threat has caused consumers more anxiety, stress, and a reduced sense of control [ 14 , 15 ]. For this reason, they have needed a way to cope with external threats [ 16 ], such as impulse buying.…”

The societal relevance of communities in theCOVID‐19 era

“…Marzana et al (2022) adopted an ecological perspective and consider the interdependence between individual and community dimensions in responses to disasters. Using a longitudinal approach, the authors analysed both individual dimensions related to emotional responses to the pandemic (e.g.…”

“…The first encompasses studies that examine the negative individual and community consequences of the pandemic, and how individuals and communities faced the unprecedented situations in ways that demonstrate considerable resilience. Marzana et al (2022) adopted an ecological perspective and consider the interdependence between individual and community dimensions in responses to disasters. Using a longitudinal approach, the authors analysed both individual dimensions related to emotional responses to the pandemic (e.g.…”