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COVID‐19 pandemic's impact on the public's confidence in scientific community: The role of personal contact

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  • Christopher P. Scheitle
  • Bernard D. DiGregorio
  • Katie E. Corcoran
  • Sara K. Guthrie

Abstract

Objective This study considers how having personally tested positive for COVID‐19 or knowing someone who has tested positive for COVID‐19 is associated with an individual's reported change in confidence in the scientific community due to the pandemic. Methods Using data generated from a probability sample of U.S. adults, we estimate regression models predicting individuals’ reported change in confidence in the scientific community due to the pandemic. Results Political affiliation, age, having tested positive for COVID‐19, and knowing someone who tested positive for COVID‐19 are associated with reporting changes in confidence in the scientific community due to the pandemic. Conclusion These findings suggest that the public's perception of the scientific community's response to the COVID‐19 pandemic is in part shaped by individuals’ personal contact with the virus.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher P. Scheitle & Bernard D. DiGregorio & Katie E. Corcoran & Sara K. Guthrie, 2023. "COVID‐19 pandemic's impact on the public's confidence in scientific community: The role of personal contact," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 104(4), pages 716-727, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:104:y:2023:i:4:p:716-727
    DOI: 10.1111/ssqu.13295
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Allcott, Hunt & Boxell, Levi & Conway, Jacob & Gentzkow, Matthew & Thaler, Michael & Yang, David, 2020. "Polarization and public health: Partisan differences in social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    2. John Evans & Justin Feng, 2013. "Conservative Protestantism and skepticism of scientists studying climate change," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 121(4), pages 595-608, December.
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