scholarly journals Peers for the fearless: Social norms facilitate preventive behaviour when individuals perceive low COVID-19 health risks

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0260171
Author(s):  
Bernhard Kittel ◽  
Fabian Kalleitner ◽  
David W. Schiestl
Keyword(s):  
Social Norms ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Political Institutions ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Physical Distance ◽  
Panel Survey ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Moderation Effect ◽  
Preventive Behaviour ◽  
People’S Perceptions

A strategy frequently adopted to contain the COVID-19 pandemic involves three non-pharmaceutical interventions that depend on high levels of compliance in society: maintaining physical distance from others, minimizing social contacts, and wearing a face mask. These measures require substantial changes in established practices of social interaction, raising the question of which factors motivate individuals to comply with these preventive behaviours. Using Austrian panel survey data from April 2020 to April 2021, we show that perceived health risks, social norms, and trust in political institutions stimulate people to engage in preventive behaviour. A moderation analysis shows that the effectiveness of social norms in facilitating preventive behaviour increases when people’s perceptions of health risks decrease. No such moderation effect is observed for trust in political institutions. These results suggest that strong social norms play a crucial role in achieving high rates of preventive behaviour, especially when perceived levels of health risks are low.

scholarly journals Avoiding a public health dilemma: Social norms and trust facilitate preventive behaviour if individuals perceive low COVID-19 health risks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernhard Kittel ◽  
Fabian Kalleitner ◽  
David W. Schiestl
Keyword(s):  
Social Norms ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Political Institutions ◽  
Physical Distance ◽  
Panel Survey ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Trust In Institutions ◽  
High Adherence ◽  
Preventive Behaviour ◽  
People’S Perceptions

Until a vaccine becomes available, a frequently adopted strategy to contain the COVID-19 pandemic involves three non-pharmaceutical interventions that crucially depend on high adherence in society: maintaining physical distance from others, minimizing social contacts, and wearing face masks. These measures require substantial changes in established practices of social interaction, raising the question of which factors motivate individuals to comply with these preventive behaviours. Using Austrian panel survey data from April to October 2020 we show that perceived health risks, social norms, and trust in political institutions stimulate people to engage in preventive behaviour. Moderation analyses show that the effectiveness of social norms and trust in institutions in facilitating preventive behaviour increases when people's perceptions of health risks decrease. This result suggests that trust in institutions and strong social norms play a crucial role in achieving high rates of preventive behaviour when perceived levels of health risks are low.

scholarly journals The Role of Social Circle Perceptions in “False Consensus” about Population Statistics: Evidence from a National Flu Survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-241
Author(s):  
Wändi Bruine de Bruin ◽  
Mirta Galesic ◽  
Andrew M. Parker ◽  
Raffaele Vardavas
Keyword(s):  
Social Norms ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Population Estimates ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Population Statistics ◽  
Social Circle ◽  
False Consensus ◽  
People’S Perceptions

Purpose. “False consensus” refers to individuals with (v. without) an experience judging that experience as more (v. less) prevalent in the population. We examined the role of people’s perceptions of their social circles (family, friends, and acquaintances) in shaping their population estimates, false consensus patterns, and vaccination intentions. Methods. In a national online flu survey, 351 participants indicated their personal vaccination and flu experiences, assessed the percentage of individuals with those experiences in their social circles and the population, and reported their vaccination intentions. Results. Participants’ population estimates of vaccination coverage and flu prevalence were associated with their perceptions of their social circles’ experiences, independent of their own experiences. Participants reporting less social circle “homophily” (or fewer social contacts sharing their experience) showed less false consensus and even “false uniqueness.” Vaccination intentions were greater among nonvaccinators reporting greater social circle vaccine coverage. Discussion. Social circle perceptions play a role in population estimates and, among individuals who do not vaccinate, vaccination intentions. We discuss implications for the literature on false consensus, false uniqueness, and social norms interventions.

IS Corona virus (COVID-19) droplets or airborne? Perspectives (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tilahun Beyene Sr
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Community ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Physical Distance ◽  
Prevention Strategy ◽  
Confined Space ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Corona Virus ◽  
Public Areas ◽  
Mode Of Transmission

UNSTRUCTURED Abstract This scientific perspective of mode of transmission of COVID-19 is to aid scientific community in generating hypothesis. The inadequate evidence on SARS-COV-2 transmission has hindered development of effective prevention strategy and resulted in continues pandemic of the COVID-19. Therefore, in this perspective existing evidences are discussed, hypothesis are generated regarding COVID-19 mode of transmission and recommendations are forwarded based on existing body of knowledge. Two meter (2m) physical distance is not completely safe even for large droplets and wearing face mask is a key in prevention of SARS-COV-2 in public areas and confined space.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Preventive Behaviours in Cameroon: A Six-Month Online National Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2554
Author(s):  
Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo ◽  
Leonard Ngarka ◽  
Wepnyu Y. Njamnshi ◽  
Leonard N. Nfor ◽  
Michel K. Mengnjo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regression Models ◽  
Health Personnel ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Adherence Score ◽  
Preventive Behaviour ◽  
Predictors Of Adherence

Since March 2020, the Cameroonian government implemented nationwide measures to stall COVID-19 transmission. However, little is known about how well these unprecedented measures are being observed as the pandemic evolves. We conducted a six-month online survey to assess the preventive behaviour of Cameroonian adults during the COVID-19 outbreak. A five-point adherence score was constructed based on self-reported observance of the following preventive measures: physical distancing, face mask use, hand hygiene, not touching one’s face, and covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing. Predictors of adherence were investigated using ordinal logistic regression models. Of the 7381 responses received from all ten regions, 73.3% were from male respondents and overall mean age was 32.8 ± 10.8 years. Overall mean adherence score was 3.96 ± 1.11 on a scale of 0–5. Mean weekly adherence scores were initially high, but gradually decreased over time accompanied by increasing incidence of COVID-19 during the last study weeks. Predictors for higher adherence included higher age, receiving COVID-19 information from health personnel, and agreeing with the necessity of lockdown measures. Meanwhile, experiencing flu-like symptoms was associated with poor adherence. Continuous observance of preventive measures should be encouraged among Cameroonians in the medium- to long-term to avoid a resurgence in COVID-19 infections.

scholarly journals Between Sicilia and Lombardy: Relation between trust, civil norms and social participation among citizens of Serbia

Sociologija ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dragan Stanojevic ◽  
Dragana Stokanic
Keyword(s):  
Social Norms ◽  
Political Institutions ◽  
Public Institutions ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Informal Support ◽  
World Values Survey ◽  
Formal Organizations ◽  
Universal Values ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The One

The one of the key precondition of social and political participation of citizens is their interpersonal and institutional trust. In order to avoid the increase of individual atomization and/or excessively rise of informal support networks, institutional organizations are crucial. For that reason, it is necessary to exist certain level of trust in institutional arrangements. This paper will be focused on widely used concept of social capital for analysis of interaction between trust, social norms and participation. Concerning participation, in this paper the difference between ?generalized? trust in public institutions and ?specific?, personalized trust in people is explained. This situation of low trust in people and institutions which are interlinked and create general atmosphere of distrust is present in post-socialist societies, such as Serbia. Firstly, the aim of this paper is to show level of participation in different organizations and the trust of citizens of Serbia in political institutions, as well as trust in people in general. Additionally, the acceptance of civil norms will be presented. Secondly, it will be analyzed in what extant formal organizations contribute to the trust creation and the acceptance of social norms as forms of universal values which are necessary for basic social consensus and solidarity. Also, it will be presented the relation between trust in certain institutions and organizations and the acceptance of civil norms. In order to achieve these goals, it will be used quantitative analysis and databases World Values Survey, fifth wave conducted from 2005 to 2007.

scholarly journals Older People’s Nonphysical Contacts and Depression During the COVID-19 Lockdown

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Arpino ◽  
Marta Pasqualini ◽  
Valeria Bordone ◽  
Aïda Solé-Auró
Keyword(s):  
Intergenerational Relationships ◽  
Panel Survey ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Slowing Down ◽  
Social Closeness ◽  
Depressive Feelings ◽  
Quota Sampling ◽  
Design And Methods

Abstract Background and Objectives With the goal of slowing down the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, restrictions to physical contacts have been taken in many countries. We examine to what extent intergenerational and other types of nonphysical contacts have reduced the risk of increased perceived depressive feelings during the lockdown for people aged 50+. Research Design and Methods We implemented an online panel survey based on quota sampling in France, Italy, and Spain in April 2020, about 1 month after the start of the lockdown. Our analyses are based on logistic regression models and use post-stratification weights. Results About 50% of individuals aged 50+ felt sad or depressed more often than usual during the lockdown in the 3 considered countries. Older people who increased or maintained unchanged nonphysical contacts with noncoresident individuals during the lockdown were at a lower risk of increased perceived depressive feelings compared to those who experienced a reduction in nonphysical contacts. The beneficial effect of nonphysical contacts was stronger for intergenerational relationships. The effects were similar by gender and stronger among individuals aged 70+, living in Spain and not living alone before the start of the lockdown. Discussion and Implications In the next phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, or during any future similar pandemic, policy makers may implement measures that balance the need to reduce the spread of the virus with the necessity of allowing for limited physical contacts. Social contacts at a distance may be encouraged as a means to keep social closeness, while being physically distant.

Activism as Ethical Practice: Queer Politics in Contemporary India

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naisargi N. Dave
Keyword(s):  
Social Norms ◽  
Political Institutions ◽  
Rural India ◽  
The Political ◽  
New Delhi ◽  
Ethical Practice ◽  
The Public ◽  
Lesbian And Gay ◽  
Gay Pride ◽  
Queer Politics

Why are activists, activists? In this article I address that question, as well as what it means for an ethnographer to ask it. Based on fieldwork with lesbian and gay activists in New Delhi, I argue that activism emerges as ethical practice, and that ‘ethical practice’ consists of three affective exercises: problematizing established social norms, inventing alternatives to those norms, and creatively practicing those newly invented relational possibilities. But the political institutions that activists must engage in order to effect the transformations that they seek are far from conducive to the cultivation of the ethical practice that is at the heart of activism, and this article is partly an ethnography of this tension. I study this tension by tracing a series of key movements in Indian lesbian activism from 1987 to 2008, bookended by the public revelation of two married policewomen in rural India and a Gay Pride parade in central Delhi. Through this narrative, I show how each new shift in activism demands the foreclosure of possibilities and practices that emerged before it. On a reflexive note, I draw a parallel between activism as a fraught, contested undoing and remaking of its very premises and ethnography of activism as entailing the same.

scholarly journals Moderasi Norma Sosial dan Keterlibatan Personal terhadap Perilaku Peduli Lingkungan

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 83
Author(s):  
Yogi Pambudi ◽  
Ni Putu Pristi Wisuantari
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Social Norms ◽  
Environmental Behavior ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Descriptive Norm ◽  
Injunctive Norm ◽  
Moderation Effect ◽  
Personal Involvement ◽  
The Relationship

Pro-environmental behavior is a solution to overcome environmental problems. Plastic straw waste, which was produced majorly from restaurant’s consumption, has been identified as one of the causes of the environmental damage. This research was conducted to examine the moderation effect of social norms to plastic straw usage among restaurant visitors. The uantitative method was used by using self-report questionnaires to measure descriptive norm, injunctive norm, and personal involvement. Data were collected from 106 respondents whose ages ranged from 18 to 54 years with the proportion of 44% male and 66% female. This study has four hypotheses, namely the injunctive norm moderates the relationship between descriptive norm and pro-environment behavior, personal involvement moderates the relationship between descriptive norm and pro-environmental behavior, descriptive norm moderates the relationship between injunctive norm and pro-environmental behavior, and personal involvement moderates the relationship between injunctive norm and pro-environmental behavior. Statistical analysis using IBM SPSS with the add-on PROCESS Hayes 3.4 was used to test the moderation effect. The study found that there are no significant results from the four hypotheses. Although all hypotheses were not proven, the descriptive norm was proved to have a moderation effect to relationship between the injunctive norm and pro-environmental behavior when the score of descriptive norms is moderate or high. Hence, injunctive norm has potential to increase pro-environment behavior when it is moderated by moderate or high levels of descriptive norm.Keywords: Descriptive norm, injunctive norm, personal involvement, pro- environmental behavior Abstrak: Perilaku peduli lingkungan adalah solusi untuk mengatasi masalah lingkungan. Salah satu penyebab masalah lingkungan dengan begitu banyaknya sampah sedotan plastik. Penelitian ini menguji interaksi moderasi dari norma sosial dan keterlibatan personal terhadap perilaku peduli lingkungan pada pengunjung restoran terkait penggunaan sedotan plastik. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kuantitatif terhadap 106 responden dengan rentang usia dari 18 – 54 tahun dan proporsi gender pria 44% dan perempuan 66%. Instrumen yang digunakan adalah alat ukur norma deskriptif, norma injungtif, dan keterlibatan personal. Penelitian ini menguji empat hipotesis, yakni; norma injungtif memoderasi norma deskriptif terhadap perilaku peduli lingkungan, keterlibatan personal memoderasi norma deskriptif terhadap perilaku peduli lingkungan, norma deskriptif memoderasi norma injungtif terhadap perilaku peduli lingkungan, dan keterlibatan personal memoderasi norma injungtif terhadap terhadap perilaku peduli lingkungan. Analisis statistik menggunakan IBM SPSS dengan add-on PROCESS Hayes 3.4 untuk melihat efek moderasi tersebut. Hasilnya, keempat hipotesis tidak terbukti. Meskipun keempat hipotesis ditolak tetapi norma deskriptif, ketika berada nilai moderat dan tinggi, memiliki pengaruh interaksi dalam memoderasi peran norma injungtif terhadap perilaku peduli lingkungan, Sehingga norma injungtif yang dimoderasi oleh norma deskriptif berpotensi untuk meningkatkan perilaku peduli lingkungan.

scholarly journals Awareness and incidents of occupational health hazards among female workers of small scale food processing units of Punjab state

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-47
Author(s):  
Ritu Gupta ◽  
Deepika Bisht
Keyword(s):  
Women Workers ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Food Processing ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Health Hazards ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Female Workers

Female workers have to work both in the industry as well as at the home to meet their family’s daily need. The work pattern in food processing units is very repetitive and exposes workers to several health risks. Lack of protective clothing and equipment also exposes workers’ health to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards and diseases, thereby reducing their efficiency and productivity. The present study was, therefore, undertaken to explore the awareness and incidents of occupational health hazards among female workers of small scale food processing units. The study was carried out on 30 women workers engaged in small scale food processing units. The sample was randomly selected from five randomly selected food processing units of Punjab state. Personal interview method, using an interview schedule, and observation technique were adopted to collect the relevant data. Results revealed that most of the respondents were aware about many of the occupational health hazards related to their work and all the respondents were suffering from muscle pain and discomfort because of working in awkward posture for long working hours. Majority (85 %) of the respondents were aware about the regular use of Personal Protective Equipment/Clothing (PPE/PPC) at workplace, but only 33.3 per cent were using apron, 36.7 per cent were using gloves, 26.7 per cent were using face mask and 40 per cent were using head cover at the workplace. Also because of the pain in the lower back of the respondents, many of their routine activities got affected. The present study highlighted the occupational health hazards faced by the workers of small scale food processing units and the causes of health hazards. It will be beneficial for the workers and the employers of food processing units to take preventive measures to avoid or reduce any health risks at the workplace.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document