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A prosocial legacy of COVID-19 among healthcare professionals?

Author

Listed:
  • Joan Costa-Font
  • Nicolo Gatti

    (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
    Dipartimento di Economia e Finanza, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore)

  • Gilberto Turati

    (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
    Dipartimento di Economia e Finanza, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore)

  • Daniel Wiesen

Abstract

We study the extent to which exposure to COVID-19 has affected the prosociality of healthcare professionals. Drawing on evidence from an incentivized experiment and a companion survey of healthcare professionals (N = 194) at a large Italian hospital, we find that exposure to COVID-19 predicts their altruistic motivation. Healthcare professionals who either worked in COVID-19 wards or had a close relative or friend severely affected by the virus exhibited a higher propensity to prioritize patient welfare over personal gain. Controlling for demographic characteristics and personality traits, our estimates indicate a 5 percentage point increase in prosociality among exposed individuals. Conversely, personally contracting COVID-19 is related to a 6 percentage point decline in prosociality. Our results highlight that experiences of need shape prosocial preferences in hospital settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Joan Costa-Font & Nicolo Gatti & Gilberto Turati & Daniel Wiesen, 2025. "A prosocial legacy of COVID-19 among healthcare professionals?," DISCE - Working Papers del Dipartimento di Economia e Finanza def145, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Dipartimenti e Istituti di Scienze Economiche (DISCE).
    • Handle: RePEc:ctc:serie1:def145
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    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D64 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior

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