Fear, xenophobia and collectivism as predictors of well being during Coronavirus disease 2019: An empirical study from India
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.
The International journal of social psychiatry