Social values are significant factors in control of COVID-19 the first phase pandemic

Authors

  • Monika Wójta-Kempa Division of Health Humanities and Social Science, Wrocław Medical University, Barta 5, 51-618 Wrocław, Poland Polish Hygienic Association, Lower Silesia District, Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej 73/77, 50-950 Wrocław, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0027-1033
  • Anna Skawina Polish Hygienic Association, Lower Silesia District, Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej 73/77, 50-950 Wrocław, Poland Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2616-1331
  • Daniel Płatek Institute of Political Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences ul. Polna 18/20, 00-625 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8253-3622
  • Andrzej Jarynowski Interdisciplinary Research Institute, Oriona 15/8, 67-200 Głogów, Poland System Modeling Group, Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 67, 14163 Berlin, Germany. Polish Hygienic Association, Lower Silesia District, Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej 73/77, 50-950 Wrocław, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0949-6674
  • Ireneusz Skawina Polish Hygienic Association, Lower Silesia District, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6614-5649
  • Vitaly Belik System Modeling Group, Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 67, 14163 Berlin, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3748-0071

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15503/emet.2022.33.39

Abstract

Introduction. This study examines the relationship between social values and the control of the COVID-19 pandemic in selected European countries during the early months of 2020.

Methods. Utilizing epidemiological data, including starting and controlled reproduction rates (R(t)), and social values' dimensions based on Schwartz's framework, we uncover significant associations by linear regressions.

Results. Our findings reveal that highly hierarchical societies with a strong focus on maximising individual utility (affective autonomy) are less successful in controlling the spread of the virus. Conversely, societies with interconnected (embedded) structures appear to be more effective in disease control. Our discussion acknowledges the complexity of distinguishing between natural disease patterns and control efforts. Interactive dashboard is available: https://infodemia-koronawirusa.shinyapps.io/culture/

Conclusions. This study underscores the substantial influence of social values on disease control in Europe. It emphasises the need to consider social contexts when evaluating the effectiveness of mitigation strategies on an international scale. While recognising the potential role of confounding variables such as healthcare capacity, our research suggests that analysing outbreak dynamics across countries can provide insights into not only why some nations fare better but also how to combat future disease spread effectively.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

2023-11-30

How to Cite

Wójta-Kempa, M., Skawina, A., Płatek, D., Jarynowski, A., Skawina, I., & Belik, V. (2023). Social values are significant factors in control of COVID-19 the first phase pandemic. E-Methodology, 9(9), 33–39. https://doi.org/10.15503/emet.2022.33.39

Issue

Section

“On the Internet” – Research