National identity predicts public health support during a global pandemic
Authors: Van Bavel Jay Joseph , Cichocka Aleksandra , Capraro Valerio , Sjåstad Hallgeir , Nezlek John B. , Alfano Mark , Azevedo Flavio , Cislak Aleksandra , Lockwood Patricia , Ross Robert M , Agadullina Elena , Apps Matthew A J , ARUTA JOHN JAMIR BENZON R. , Bor Alexander , Crabtree Charles , Cunningham William A. , De Koustav , Elbaek Christian T. , Ejaz Waqas , Findor Andrej , Gjoneska Biljana , Horiuchi Yusaku , Huynh Toan Luu Duc , Ibanez Agustin , Israelashvili Jacob , Jasko Katarzyna , Kantorowicz Jaroslaw , Kantorowicz-Reznichenko Elena , Krouwel André , Laakasuo Michael , Lamm Claus , Leygue Caroline , Mansoor Mohammad Sabbir , Mayiwar Lewend , Mazepus Honorata , McHugh Cillian , Mitkidis Panagiotis , Olsson Andreas , Otterbring Tobias , Perry Anat , Packer Dominic , Petersen Michael Bang , Puthillam Arathy , Rothmund Tobias , TEWARI SHRUTI , Tsakiris Manos , Tung Hans , Yucel Meltem , Vanags Edmunds , Vlasceanu Madalina , Antazo Benedict Guzman , Barbosa Sergio , Bastian Brock , Bilancini Ennio , Bogatyreva Natalia , Boncinelli Leonardo , Booth Jonathan E. , Borau Sylvie , Buchel Ondrej , Carvalho Chrissie Ferreira , Celadin Tatiana , Cerami Chiara , Cian Luca , Crespi Chiara , Cutler Jo , Delouvée Sylvain , Dezecache Guillaume , Di Paolo Roberto , Dulleck Uwe , Etienne Tom , Farkhari Fahima , Fugelsang Jonathan Albert , Gkinopoulos Theofilos , Gray Kurt , Griffin Siobhán M , Gronfeldt Bjarki , Gruber June , Harris Elizabeth Ann , Hruška Matej , Isler Ozan , Jangard Simon , Jørgensen Frederik Juhl , Koppel Lina , Leota Josh , Lermer Eva , Levy Neil L , Longoni Chiara , Miura Asako , Muda Rafał , Myer Annalisa , Nash Kyle , Nitschke Jonas P. , Ohtsubo Yohsuke , de Mello Victoria Oldemburgo , Pan Yafeng , Zsófia Papp , Pärnamets Philip , Paruzel-Czachura Mariola , Pitman Michael Mark , Pyrkosz-Pacyna Joanna , Rathje Steve , Raza Ali , Rhee Kasey , Rêgo Gabriel Gaudencio do , Robertson Claire , Salvador-Ginez Octavio , Sampaio Waldir M. , Savage David Alan , Scheffer Julian Andrew , Schönegger Philipp , Scott Andy , Skali Ahmed , Strickland Brent , Stafford Clara Alexandra , Stefaniak Anna , Sternisko Anni , Tinghög Gustav , Torgler Benno , Tucciarelli Raffaele , Ungson Nick D'Angelo , Uysal Mete Sefa , van Prooijen Jan-Willem , Van Rooy Dirk , Västfjäll Daniel , Vieira Joana , Walker Alexander C. , Wetter Erik , Willardt Robin Richard , Wojcik Adrian Dominik , Wu Kaidi , Yamada Yuki , Yilmaz Onurcan , Yogeeswaran Kumar , Zwaan Rolf Antonius , Boggio Paulo , Cameron Daryl , Tyrala Michael , Gualda Estrella , Moreau David , Palomäki Jussi , Hudecek Matthias F. C. 
Published: September 2020

Changing collective behaviour and supporting non-pharmaceutical interventions is an important component in mitigating virus transmission during a pandemic. In a large international collaboration (Study 1, N = 49,968 across 67 countries), we investigated self-reported factors that associated with people reported adopting public health behaviours (e.g., spatial distancing and stricter hygiene) and endorsed public policy interventions (e.g., closing bars and restaurants) during the early stage of the pandemic (April-May 2020). Respondents who reported identifying more strongly with their nation consistently reported greater engagement in public health behaviours and support for public health policies. Results were similar for representative and non-representative national samples. Study 2 (N = 42 countries) conceptually replicated the central finding using aggregate indices of national identity (obtained using the World Values Survey) and a measure of actual behaviour change during the pandemic (obtained from Google mobility reports). Higher levels of national identification prior to the pandemic predicted lower mobility during the early stage of the pandemic (r = -.40). We discuss the potential implications of links between national identity, leadership, and public health for managing COVID-19 and future pandemics.