Fear, xenophobia and collectivism as predictors of well-being during Coronavirus disease 2019: An empirical study from India. (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ahuja, Kanika K; Banerjee, Debanjan; Chaudhary, Kritika; Gidwani, Chehak
• Is Part Of: International journal of social psychiatry. Volume 67:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 46
• Page End: 53
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: Well-being -- xenophobia -- fear of coronavirus -- collectivism -- COVID-19; Social psychiatry -- Periodicals; 362.205
• DOI: 10.1177/0020764020936323
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7640

Abstract

Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a global health threat. Biological disasters like this can generate immense prejudice, xenophobia, stigma and othering, all of which have adverse consequences on health and well-being. In a country as diverse and populous in India, such crisis can trigger communalism and mutual blame. Keeping this in context, this study explored the relationship between well-being and xenophobic attitudes towards Muslims, collectivism and fear of COVID-19 in India. Methods: The study was carried out on 600 non-Islamic Indians (231 males, 366 females and 3 others; mean age: 38.76 years), using convenience sampling. An online survey containing Fear of Coronavirus scale, Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale and Collectivism Scale was used. Xenophobia was assessed using two scales: generalized prejudice towards Muslims and specific xenophobic tendencies towards Muslims during COVID-19. The data were analysed using correlational methods and multiple regression. Results: The findings showed that positively significant relationship exists between well-being and age as well as with collectivism, while an inversely significant relationship between well-being and fear of COVID-19 was found. The results of the multiple regression analysis shows that fear of COVID-19, age, collectivism and generalized xenophobia, in the order of their importance, together contributed to nearly 20% of variance in well-being. Conclusion: The findings are reflective of the importance of collectivism in enhancing well-being in these times of uncertainty. Xenophobia, one of the common offshoots of pandemics, can also harm the overall well-being. Implications are discussed in the light of India's diverse socio-religious background and global context.