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Types of pandemic-induced psychological distress, clarity of responsibility, and support for incumbents

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  • Ray, Subhasish
  • Patil, Ankin M.
  • Vidya, K. Sree
  • Semetko, Holli A.

Abstract

Will voters punish incumbents for psychological distress associated with public policy during external shocks? This study examines this question in the empirical context of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, utilizing three novel cross-sectional surveys conducted in the first three weeks of June 2020, immediately after the national lockdown policy was officially revoked. We find that propensity to vote for the nationally incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (if hypothetical elections were held on the day of the survey) was negatively correlated with mental stress from routine disruptions in mobility (Week 1); worsening mental health (Week 2); and emotion-focused coping (Week 3). We show that these effects are strongest in BJP-ruled states. We argue that psychological distress shaped political attitudes in the midst of the pandemic and this effect was conditional on the source of distress and moderated by governmental clarity of responsibility.

Suggested Citation

  • Ray, Subhasish & Patil, Ankin M. & Vidya, K. Sree & Semetko, Holli A., 2025. "Types of pandemic-induced psychological distress, clarity of responsibility, and support for incumbents," Journal of Public Policy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 45(3), pages 474-499, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jnlpup:v:45:y:2025:i:3:p:474-499_4
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