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What Should I do and Who’s to blame? A cross-national study on youth’s attitudes and beliefs in times of COVID-19

Author

Listed:
  • Elisabeth L De Moor
  • Ting-Yu Cheng
  • Jenna E Spitzer
  • Christian Berger
  • Alexia Carrizales
  • Claire F Garandeau
  • Maria Gerbino
  • Skyler T Hawk
  • Goda Kaniušonytė
  • Asiye Kumru
  • Elisabeth Malonda
  • Anna Rovella
  • Yuh-Ling Shen
  • Laura K Taylor
  • Maarten van Zalk
  • Susan Branje
  • Gustavo Carlo
  • Laura Padilla Walker
  • Jolien Van der Graaff

Abstract

The COVID-19 crisis has had a major impact on youth. This study examined factors associated with youth’s attitudes towards their government’s response to the pandemic and their blaming of individuals from certain risk groups, ethnic backgrounds, and countries or regions. In a sample of 5,682 young adults (Mage = 22) from 14 countries, lower perceived burden due to COVID-19, more collectivistic and less individualistic values, and more empathy were associated with more positive attitudes towards the government and less blaming of individuals of certain groups. Youth’s social identification with others in the pandemic mediated these associations in the same direction, apart from the COVID-19 burden on attitudes, which had a positive indirect effect. No evidence of country-level moderation was found.

Suggested Citation

  • Elisabeth L De Moor & Ting-Yu Cheng & Jenna E Spitzer & Christian Berger & Alexia Carrizales & Claire F Garandeau & Maria Gerbino & Skyler T Hawk & Goda Kaniušonytė & Asiye Kumru & Elisabeth Malonda &, 2022. "What Should I do and Who’s to blame? A cross-national study on youth’s attitudes and beliefs in times of COVID-19," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(12), pages 1-20, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0279366
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279366
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alessandro Germani & Livia Buratta & Elisa Delvecchio & Claudia Mazzeschi, 2020. "Emerging Adults and COVID-19: The Role of Individualism-Collectivism on Perceived Risks and Psychological Maladjustment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-15, May.
    2. Volker C. Franke & Charles N. Elliott, 2021. "Optimism and Social Resilience: Social Isolation, Meaninglessness, Trust, and Empathy in Times of COVID-19," Societies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-17, April.
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