National identity predicts public health support during a global pandemic.
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Changing collective behaviour and supporting non-pharmaceutical interventions is an important component in mitigating virus transmission during a pandemic. In a large international collaboration (Study 1, N = 49,968 across 67 countries), we investigated self-reported factors associated with public health behaviours (e.g., spatial distancing and stricter hygiene) and endorsed public policy interventions (e.g., closing bars and restaurants) during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic (April-May 2020). Respondents who reported identifying more strongly with their nation consistently reported greater engagement in public health behaviours and support for public health policies. Results were similar for representative and non-representative national samples. Study 2 (N = 42 countries) conceptually replicated the central finding using aggregate indices of national identity (obtained using the World Values Survey) and a measure of actual behaviour change during the pandemic (obtained from Google mobility reports). Higher levels of national identification prior to the pandemic predicted lower mobility during the early stage of the pandemic (r = -0.40). We discuss the potential implications of links between national identity, leadership, and public health for managing COVID-19 and future pandemics.
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2041-1723
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Aarhus Universitets Forskningsfond (Aarhus University Research Foundation) (AUFF-E-201 9-9-4, 28207)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/R010668/1)
Medical Research Council (MR/P014097/1)
Gouvernement du Canada | Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (Conseil de recherches en sciences humaines du Canada) (130760, SSHRC-506547, 435-2012-1135)
National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China) (71602163, 71972065)
Agence Nationale de la Recherche (French National Research Agency) (ANR-17-EURE-0017, ANR-10-IDEX-0001-02 PSL, ANR-17-EURE-0010)
Carlsbergfondet (Carlsberg Foundation) (CF20-0044)
Ministarstvo Prosvete, Nauke i Tehnološkog Razvoja (Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia) (47010)
Agentúra na Podporu Výskumu a Vývoja (Slovak Research and Development Agency) (APVV-17-0596)
Austrian Science Fund FWF (I3381)
Vetenskapsrådet (Swedish Research Council) (2018-00877)
John Templeton Foundation (JTF) (61378)
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation) (EXC 2052/1 - 390713894)