The dark side of social ties: coronavirus 2019-induced fear and intergroup conflicts
Introduction The relationship between fear and social ties has been frequently discussed in the context of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but investigation of the nature of these experiences is still insufficient. Research suggests that people who respect social ties often experience bet...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2022-06-01
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| Series: | European Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822013359/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1827754126433320960 |
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| author | S. Tei J. Fujino |
| author_facet | S. Tei J. Fujino |
| author_sort | S. Tei |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Introduction
The relationship between fear and social ties has been frequently discussed in the context of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but investigation of the nature of these experiences is still insufficient. Research suggests that people who respect social ties often experience better mental health outcomes. However, when socially isolated, excluded, or subjected to rumors, they may become more vulnerable to criticism, shame, and fear. Another potential problem of the COVID-19 pandemic is intergroup prejudice and distrust.
Objectives
To examine the development and mitigation of social ties, fears, and biases during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
We applied discourse analysis to relevant literature and their associated references that incorporated textual, social, and cognitive dimensions. The main databases used were PubMed and Web of Science.
Results
Although the importance of social ties was loudly vocalized as lessening loneliness, people also globally described stigma-related fear or intergroup conflicts. The sense of social ties appeared disproportionately amplified in the form of an in-group identity, group pressures, and empathic distress. Some people overstated worries about their COVID-19-positive status being revealed to others and causing distress for them. Furthermore, discrimination and vigilantism were manifested with fear-related stereotyping and hostility.
Conclusions
Our findings support the view that social ties can indeed function as both risk and protective factors. Context-adjusted perspectives and reciprocal dialogs seem crucial to alleviate these negative impacts. The subsequent mitigation of misunderstandings, fear-induced bias, and maladaptive distress appraisal may lead to a more reasonable and flexible recognition of social ties.
Disclosure
No significant relationships.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:44:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ff8b0a6ccf64494a9e484a925e63736b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0924-9338 1778-3585 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:44:49Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-ff8b0a6ccf64494a9e484a925e63736b2023-11-17T05:07:55ZengCambridge University PressEuropean Psychiatry0924-93381778-35852022-06-0165S523S52410.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.1335The dark side of social ties: coronavirus 2019-induced fear and intergroup conflictsS. Tei0J. Fujino1Kyoto University, Department Of Psychiatry, kyoto, Japan Waseda University, Institute Of Applied Brain Sciences, Saitama, Japan Showa University, Medical Institute Of Developmental Disabilities Research, Tokyo, Japan Tokyo International University, School Of Human And Social Sciences, Saitama, JapanKyoto University, Department Of Psychiatry, kyoto, Japan Showa University, Medical Institute Of Developmental Disabilities Research, Tokyo, Japan Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Department Of Psychiatry And Behavioral Sciences, Graduate School Of Medical And Dental Sciences, Tokyo, Japan Introduction The relationship between fear and social ties has been frequently discussed in the context of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but investigation of the nature of these experiences is still insufficient. Research suggests that people who respect social ties often experience better mental health outcomes. However, when socially isolated, excluded, or subjected to rumors, they may become more vulnerable to criticism, shame, and fear. Another potential problem of the COVID-19 pandemic is intergroup prejudice and distrust. Objectives To examine the development and mitigation of social ties, fears, and biases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We applied discourse analysis to relevant literature and their associated references that incorporated textual, social, and cognitive dimensions. The main databases used were PubMed and Web of Science. Results Although the importance of social ties was loudly vocalized as lessening loneliness, people also globally described stigma-related fear or intergroup conflicts. The sense of social ties appeared disproportionately amplified in the form of an in-group identity, group pressures, and empathic distress. Some people overstated worries about their COVID-19-positive status being revealed to others and causing distress for them. Furthermore, discrimination and vigilantism were manifested with fear-related stereotyping and hostility. Conclusions Our findings support the view that social ties can indeed function as both risk and protective factors. Context-adjusted perspectives and reciprocal dialogs seem crucial to alleviate these negative impacts. The subsequent mitigation of misunderstandings, fear-induced bias, and maladaptive distress appraisal may lead to a more reasonable and flexible recognition of social ties. Disclosure No significant relationships. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822013359/type/journal_articlehostilitysocial tieintergroup conflictsflexibility |
| spellingShingle | S. Tei J. Fujino The dark side of social ties: coronavirus 2019-induced fear and intergroup conflicts European Psychiatry hostility social tie intergroup conflicts flexibility |
| title | The dark side of social ties: coronavirus 2019-induced fear and intergroup conflicts |
| title_full | The dark side of social ties: coronavirus 2019-induced fear and intergroup conflicts |
| title_fullStr | The dark side of social ties: coronavirus 2019-induced fear and intergroup conflicts |
| title_full_unstemmed | The dark side of social ties: coronavirus 2019-induced fear and intergroup conflicts |
| title_short | The dark side of social ties: coronavirus 2019-induced fear and intergroup conflicts |
| title_sort | dark side of social ties coronavirus 2019 induced fear and intergroup conflicts |
| topic | hostility social tie intergroup conflicts flexibility |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822013359/type/journal_article |
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