UiT researchers crowned restrictions in six countries and tested the mental reactions of the population, their confidence in restrictions and their confidence that the government controls COVID-19 in their countries.
They found that those who were happy with the way the country had fought the epidemic had greater well-being and a lower perceived threat of contracting a coronavirus.
Dissatisfaction has created fear
‘We found that those who were unhappy with the country’s reaction to COVID-19 saw the threat of contracting the virus as major, were more involved, and expressed less confidence in the option of controlling the epidemic,’ explains Professor Gerit Pfuhl of the Department. Psychology Dr. Phuhl now presents the effects of the study at the Royal Society Open Science with his colleague, Martin and colleagues from foreign studies.
“Dissatisfaction with government reactions to COVID-19 has led to an increase in stress levels and mental reactions,” Pfuhl says of the results.
“Regardless of the country in which they lived, those who were unhappy with the measures were more tense and perceived the threat of contracting COVID-19 over the next two months as superior to those who were happy with the way the country fought the epidemic,” the researcher says.
Pfuhl explains that if other people feel that their country is not doing enough, they are more afraid; if they think the country is doing enough to combat the epidemic, they will feel calmer and less frightened.
Findings from these new studies provide problem solvers with vital data on how to care for the well-being of their other people in a global crisis.
Great research
Researchers sent questionnaires via social media to Norway, Germany, Israel, Colombia, Brazil and the United States, countries with varying degrees of strict and soft restrictions. The investigation involved 2,285 people. The survey was voluntary and participants were asked about restrictions and reactions, mental factors, concern and wisdom, and general demographics.
Pfuhl notes that this proved the measures that were used at the beginning of the pandemic, i. e. from 12 to 31 March.
“At this time, Colombia and Israel, with all a lockdown, had the strictest measures. The softest, compared to the other five countries we examined, the United States,” says Dr. Pfuhl.
Most people did well
So how did other people deal with the stage that happened in March?
“Most other people were doing well. The other older people were better than the other young people. And in Norway better than in other countries,” says Gerit Pfuhl.
“Among the countries we compare, Norway has done very well in many areas. We had few intellectual aptitude problems and were convinced that our own movements and government movements were effective,” says Martin M-kel, a psychology student. that worked on the project.
He said many Norwegians were happy with the government’s treatment of the situation.
“There were very few in Norway who were very afraid. But we must not forget those few,” says Dr Pfuhl. Some other people have emailed us or used an open reaction box in the survey to express their anxiety. some things, others were afraid that their spouse would die of COVID-19, for example, because of a disease at the center,” Pfuhl explains.
She thinks that’s what other researchers have discovered, that some are very scared but most are doing well with the situation.
Trust in society is for health
“The vast majority said they believed infection measures were effective,” M-kel says.
“It’s great to see that we adapt. That means that even though the closure of society has replaced the way of life, maximum other people have remained calm and serene, especially those that their country will manage to combat the epidemic. “
In other words, the more you accept as true with society, government, citizens and your own effectiveness, the greater it will be for your own intellectual health.
“More than 90 percent of the population performs infection relief movements and the maximum is self-efficacy,” Pfuhl says.
When asked which restrictions are most effective and what intellectual aptitude is the least, Pfuhl responds:
“Measures that save you physical meetings of other internal people are very effective. In other words, fewer virtual meetings or meetings, because it only creates a physical distance but not a social distance.
Important for the good
If we rejoiced at the start of the pandemic and you were part of the Norwegian government, would you do something different?
“It’s hard to say. On the one hand, Norway reacted late, as did europe’s total,” Pfuhl says. “On the other hand, Norway was quite intelligent in communicating about the pandemic. The authorities were fair about the uncertainty as to its seriousness. The government communicated well, but it may have been better, given that the death toll itself is not very informative. “
She thinks we want to take a look at the numbers of the units relatively.