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What Is the Flag We Rally Around? Trust in Information Sources at the Outset of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Latvia

Author

Listed:
  • Anda Rožukalne

    (Faculty of Communication, Rīga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia)

  • Vineta Kleinberga

    (Faculty of European Studies, Rīga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia)

  • Alise Tīfentāle

    (Faculty of Communication, Rīga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia)

  • Ieva Strode

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Latvia, LV-1019 Riga, Latvia)

Abstract

Trust in information sources about COVID-19 may influence the public attitude toward the disease and the imposed restrictions, thus determining the course of the COVID-19 pandemic in a given country. Acknowledging an increase in trust in the government or the so-called rally ‘round the flag’ effect around the world at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study explores possible determinants of this effect in Latvia, looking at such variables as the perceived disease risk, gender, age, education, income, and language spoken in the family. Presuming that risk perception may be amplified by trust in various information sources, we investigate a spill-over of the rally ‘round the flag’ effect on healthcare professionals, media, and interpersonal networks. Studying data from a nationally representative sociological survey conducted in September 2020, we confirm a positive relationship between trust in all information sources, except friends, relatives, and colleagues, and perceived disease risk. Correlations are also strong regarding trust in almost all information sources and the measured socio-demographic variables, except gender. Interpersonal trust seems to be relatively stable, and in most cases the correlations are statistically insignificant. With this study we suggest that increase in trust in government institutions as well as other information sources, even in crisis situations, does not depend on any single element, but instead presents a more complex phenomenon.

Suggested Citation

  • Anda Rožukalne & Vineta Kleinberga & Alise Tīfentāle & Ieva Strode, 2022. "What Is the Flag We Rally Around? Trust in Information Sources at the Outset of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Latvia," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:11:y:2022:i:3:p:123-:d:769161
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sarah Dryhurst & Claudia R. Schneider & John Kerr & Alexandra L. J. Freeman & Gabriel Recchia & Anne Marthe van der Bles & David Spiegelhalter & Sander van der Linden, 2020. "Risk perceptions of COVID-19 around the world," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(7-8), pages 994-1006, August.
    2. Eichengreen, Barry & Aksoy, Cevat Giray & Saka, Orkun, 2021. "Revenge of the experts: Will COVID-19 renew or diminish public trust in science?," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    3. T. van der Weijden & B. van Steenkiste & H.E.J.H. Stoffers & D.R.M. Timmermans & R. Grol, 2007. "Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases in General Practice: Mismatch between Cardiovascular Risk and Patients' Risk Perceptions," Medical Decision Making, , vol. 27(6), pages 754-761, November.
    4. Martin Baekgaard & Julian Christensen & Jonas Krogh Madsen & Kim Sass Mikkelsen, 2020. "Rallying around the flag in times of COVID-19: Societal lockdown and trust in democratic institutions," Journal of Behavioral Public Administration, Center for Experimental and Behavioral Public Administration, vol. 3(2).
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