Social values, self- and collective efficacy explaining behaviours in coping with Covid-19: Self-interested consumption and physical distancing in the first 10 days of confinement in Spain

PLoS One. 2020 Sep 17;15(9):e0238682. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238682. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

The appearance of a new coronavirus (Covid-19) and its rapid expansion throughout the world has forced all countries to establish regulations based on social confinement. In the early days of a pandemic, the adherence to regulations is crucial to be able to block its spread. This research aims to analyse the relationship between motivational variables associated with physical distancing and self-interested consumption behaviours in the first 10 days of confinement in Spain. A total of 1,324 people participated throughout the country (mean age 28.92 years). Participants answered an online survey about socio-demographic, motivational variables, which included a) risk information seeking, b) confidence in self- and collective efficacy in coping with the pandemic, and c) the four higher-order personal values ‒conservation (security, conformity, and tradition), self-transcendence (universalism and benevolence), openness (self-direction actions and stimulation), and self-improvement (hedonism and power) ‒ and the aforementioned behaviours in coping with Covid-19. Results showed a positive association between self- and collective efficacy and both coping behaviours analysed: a protective role of conservation values on normative behaviours; and a negative relationship between self-transcendence values and self-interested consumption. Additionally, risk information seeking was positively associated with the development of physical distancing behaviour.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Attitude to Health
  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Communicable Disease Control / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Communicable Disease Control / methods
  • Consumer Behavior
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Coronavirus Infections / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics* / prevention & control
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control
  • Pneumonia, Viral / psychology*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Self Efficacy*
  • Social Values*
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

The authors received no specific funding for this work.