Why trust? A mixed‐method investigation of the origins and meaning of trust during the COVID‐19 lockdown in Denmark.
Saved in:
| Title: | Why trust? A mixed‐method investigation of the origins and meaning of trust during the COVID‐19 lockdown in Denmark. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Power, Séamus A., Schaeffer, Merlin, Heisig, Jan P., Udsen, Rebecca, Morton, Thomas |
| Source: | British Journal of Social Psychology. Jul2023, Vol. 62 Issue 3, p1376-1394. 19p. 1 Diagram, 1 Graph. |
| Subjects: | Research methodology, Self-evaluation, Public health, Interviewing, Health behavior, Questionnaires, Scale analysis (Psychology), Sound recordings, Descriptive statistics, Stay-at-home orders, Thematic analysis, Statistical models, Hand washing, Social distancing, Trust, COVID-19 pandemic, Group dynamics, Public opinion |
| Geographic Terms: | Denmark |
| Abstract: | Trust is highlighted as central to effective disease management. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, Denmark seemed to embody this understanding. Characterizing the Danish response were high levels of public compliance with government regulations and restrictions coupled with high trust in the government and other members of society. In this article, we first revisit prior claims about the importance of trust in securing compliant citizen behaviour based on a weekly time‐use survey that we conducted during the first weeks of the COVID‐19 pandemic (2 April–18 May 2020). Analysis of activity episodes, rather than merely self‐reported compliance, both reconfirms the importance of institutional trust and nuances prior suggestions of detrimental effects of trust in other citizens. These survey‐based results are further augmented through thematic analysis of 21 in‐depth interviews with respondents sampled from the survey participants. The qualitative analysis reveals two themes, the first focusing on trust in others in Danish society and the second on the history of trust in Denmark. Both themes are based on narratives layered in cultural, institutional and inter‐personal levels and further underline that institutional and social trust are complementary and not countervailing. We conclude by discussing how our analysis suggests pathways towards an increased social contract between governments, institutions and individuals that might be of use during future global emergencies and to the overall functioning of democracies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of British Journal of Social Psychology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | Trust is highlighted as central to effective disease management. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, Denmark seemed to embody this understanding. Characterizing the Danish response were high levels of public compliance with government regulations and restrictions coupled with high trust in the government and other members of society. In this article, we first revisit prior claims about the importance of trust in securing compliant citizen behaviour based on a weekly time‐use survey that we conducted during the first weeks of the COVID‐19 pandemic (2 April–18 May 2020). Analysis of activity episodes, rather than merely self‐reported compliance, both reconfirms the importance of institutional trust and nuances prior suggestions of detrimental effects of trust in other citizens. These survey‐based results are further augmented through thematic analysis of 21 in‐depth interviews with respondents sampled from the survey participants. The qualitative analysis reveals two themes, the first focusing on trust in others in Danish society and the second on the history of trust in Denmark. Both themes are based on narratives layered in cultural, institutional and inter‐personal levels and further underline that institutional and social trust are complementary and not countervailing. We conclude by discussing how our analysis suggests pathways towards an increased social contract between governments, institutions and individuals that might be of use during future global emergencies and to the overall functioning of democracies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 01446665 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/bjso.12637 |
