Prosocial behaviours under collective quarantine conditions. A latent class analysis study during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown in Italy.

Giovanni Aresi,Iana Tzankova,Terri Mannarini,Christian Compare,Daniela Marzana,Fortuna Procentese,Flora Gatti,Antonella Guarino,Silvia Gattino,Angela Fedi,Elena Marta

doi:10.1002/casp.2571

Abstract

We aimed to identify the patterns of prosocial behaviours under collective quarantine conditions. Survey data were collected from a sample of Italian adults during the March May 2020 COVID‐19 lockdown in Italy. Participants reported on offline and online prosocial behaviours, sense of community responsibility (SoC‐R) and perceptions of community resilience. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used for data analysis. A total of 4,045 participants completed the survey, and 2,562 were eligible (72% female; mean age 38.7 years). LCA revealed four classes of prosocial behaviours: Money donors (7%), Online and offline helpers (59%), Online health information sharers (21%) and Neighbour helpers (13%). The classes were partially invariant across age groups (18‐35 and 35‐65 years). Being a man, having achieved a higher educational level and higher SoC‐R scores were associated with belonging to the Online and offline helper class. The members of this class also reported the greatest perceptions of community resilience. The results provide insight on the multidimensionality of prosociality under collective quarantine conditions. Online and offline helpers could be targeted for promoting sustained altruism and involvement in community organisations. For the other groups, programmes should aim at eliminating barriers to help others in multiple ways. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.

Highlights

The expression ‘catastrophe compassion’ was used to describe how people react to large-scale disasters by engaging in altruistic behaviour (Zaki, 2020)
We aimed to identify the patterns of prosocial behaviours under collective quarantine conditions
The analyses demonstrated that being a man, having achieved a higher level of education and reporting higher sense of community responsibility (SoC-R) scores were associated with belonging to the Online and offline helper class

Summary

Introduction

The expression ‘catastrophe compassion’ was used to describe how people react to large-scale disasters by engaging in altruistic behaviour (Zaki, 2020). Scholars suggested that these forms of prosociality during collective tragic events arise from shared social identities and emotional connection with other people who are facing the same hardships (Drury, 2018; Zaki, 2020). First in Europe, Italy imposed a strict lockdown starting on 8 March that was partially eased on 4 May. First in Europe, Italy imposed a strict lockdown starting on 8 March that was partially eased on 4 May These measures proved effective against the spread of the virus, but caused disruption in social and community life (Brooks et al, 2020). Millions of people reacted by engaging in a variety of altruistic behaviours, such as volunteering, donating money, and offering online social and emotional support to others (Brooks et al, 2020)

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Discussion

Conclusion