Empathy, Fear of Disease and Support for COVID-19 Containment Behaviors: Evidence from 34 Countries on the Moderating Role of Governmental Trust
Authors: Karakulak Arzu , Tepe Beyza , Dimitrova Radosveta , Abdelrahman Mohamed , Akaliyski Plamen , Alaseel Rana Rana , Alkamali Yousuf , Amin Azzam , Andres Andrii , Aruta John , Avanesyan Hrant , Ayub Norzihan , Bacikova-Sleskova Maria , Baikanova Raushan , Bakkar Batoul , Bartoluci Sunčica , Benitez David , Bodnar Ivanna , Bolatov Aidos , Borchet Judyta , Bosnar Ksenija , Broche-Pérez Yunier , Buzea Carmen , Cassibba Rosalinda , Chen Bin-Bin , Doanh Dương Công , Domínguez-Espinosa Alejandra , Ferenczi Nelli , Fernández-Morales Regina , Gaete Jorge , Gan Yiqun , Edine Wassim Gharz , Giolo Suely , Giordani Rubia Carla , Friehs Maria-Therese , Gindi Shahar , Gjoneska Biljana , Godoy Juan , Grazioso Maria del Pilar , Hancheva Camellia , Hapunda Given , Hihara Shogo , Husain Mohd. , Islam Md. , Janovská Anna , Javakhishvili Nino , Jovanović Veljko , Kabir Russell , Kadir Nor Ba’yah Abdul , Karl Johannes , Katović Darko , Kauyzbay Zhumaly , Kawashima Tinka , Kazmierczak Maria , Khanna Richa , Khosla Meetu , Klicperová Martina , Kozina Ana , Krauss Steven , Landabur Rodrigo , Lefringhausen Katharina , Lewandowska-Walter Aleksandra , Liang Yun-Hsia , Aguinaga Danny Lizarzaburu , Makashvili Ana , Malik Sadia , Martín-Carbonell Marta de la C. , Manrique-Millones Denisse , Mastrotheodoros Stefanos , McGrath Breeda , Mechili Enkeleint , Mejía Marinés , Mhizha Samson , Michalek-Kwiecien Justyna , Miconi Diana , Mohsen Fatema , Moreta-Herrera Rodrigo , Muhl Camila , Muradyan Mriya , Musso Pasquale , Naterer Andrej , Nemat Arash , Neto Félix , Neto Joana , Palacio Luz Alonso , Okati Hassan , Orellana Carlos , Orellana Ligia , Mishra Sushanta , Park Joonha , Pavlova Iuliia , Peralta Eddy , Petrytsa Petro , Pišot Saša , Prot Franjo , Rasia José , Ristevska-Dimitrovska Gordana , Rivera Rita , Riyanti Benedicta , Samekin Adil , Seisembekov Telman , Serapinas Danielius , Silletti Fabiola , Sharma Prerna , Shukla Shanu , Skrzypińska Katarzyna , Šolcová Iva Poláčková , Solomontos-Kountouri Olga , Stanciu Adrian , Stefenel Delia , Steinmetz Lorena Cecilia López , Stoginani Maria , Stuart Jaimee , Sudarnoto Laura , Sugimura Kazumi , Sultana Mst. , Suryani Angela , Tair Ergyul , Tavitian-Elmadjan Lucy , Thome Luciana , Uka Fitim , Valickienė Rasa Pilkauskaitė , Walter Brett , Wendt Guilherme , Yang Pei-Jung , Yıldırım Ebrar , Yu Yue , Yunes Maria Angela , Silva Milene Zanoni da 
Published: February 2023

The current study investigated the motives that underlie support for COVID-19 preventive behaviorsin a large, cross-cultural sample of 12,758 individuals from 34 countries. We hypothesized that the associations of empathic prosocial concern and fear of disease, with support towards preventive COVID-19 behaviors would be moderated by the individual-level and country-level trust in the government. Results suggest that the association between fear of disease and support for COVID-19 preventive behaviors was strongest when trust in the government was weak (both at individual and country-level). Conversely, the association with empathic prosocial concern was strongest when trust was high, but this moderation was only found at individual-level scores of governmental trust. We discuss how both fear and empathy motivations to support preventive COVID-19 behaviors may be shaped by socio-cultural context, and outline how the present findings may contribute to a better understanding of collective action during global crises.