Trust in government and its associations with health behaviour and prosocial behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

<p>Previous studies suggested that public trust in government is vital for implementations of social policies that rely on public's behavioural responses. This study examined associations of trust in government regarding COVID-19 control with recommended health behaviours and prosocial behaviours. Data from an international survey with representative samples (N=23,733) of 23 countries were analysed. Specification curve analysis showed that higher trust in government was significantly associated with higher adoption of health and prosocial behaviours in all reasonable specifications of multilevel linear models (median standardised β=0.173 and 0.244, P&amp;lt;0.001). We further used structural equation modelling to explore potential determinants of trust in government regarding pandemic control. Governments perceived as well organised, disseminating clear messages and knowledge on COVID-19, and perceived fairness were positively associated with trust in government (standardised β=0.358, 0.230, 0.055, and 0.250, P&amp;lt;0.01). These results highlighted the importance of trust in government in the control of COVID-19.</p>

Perceived efficacy of COVID-19 restrictions, reactions and their impact on mental health during the early phase of the outbreak in six countries

“…For example, the (publicly) acknowledged uncertainty about the outbreak can reduce the feeling of being able to control the outbreak, can lead people to misjudge the probability of contagion [ 18 ], and can increase psychological distress [ 19 ]. These, in turn, can lead to anxiety and paranoia [ 20 – 22 ] and lower intentions to engage in protective health behaviour [ 23 , 24 ]. Moreover, these restrictions have drastically altered the very fabric of human existence, banning most forms of social interactions and requiring individuals to rapidly adapt to completely different daily routines.…”

“…One important resilience factor that can potentially attenuate the detrimental psychological effects of governmental restrictions is their perceived efficacy and the individual coping response efficacy, e.g. protection motivation theory [ 23 , 24 , 30 ]. Perceptions of governmental actions as effective promote life satisfaction and support protective behaviour [ 3 , 24 ].…”

“…protection motivation theory [ 23 , 24 , 30 ]. Perceptions of governmental actions as effective promote life satisfaction and support protective behaviour [ 3 , 24 ]. Similarly, positive appraisal of public health policies fosters a positive social climate [ 31 ].…”

“…Intensifying these differences, political leaders around the world had distinct responses to the outbreak since it was first identified in China. These differences may have affected public trust in those leaders, as well as the responses of individuals to the pandemic [ 24 , 40 ]. For instance, and in contrast with Norway and Germany leaders, the Brazilian president Bolsonaro criticized the quarantine measures imposed by the state governors [ 41 ].…”

“…H2, perceived efficacy of reactions: Secondly, we hypothesized that perceived efficacy of own, other, and governmental reactions will be related to perceived risk of COVID-19 contagion, knowledge about the virus, feeling of controlling the outbreak, numbers of protective actions taken, worry/fear about COVID-19, and general distress [ 18 , 24 , 45 ]. In a follow-up analysis, we included country as a predictor.…”