Social and Behavioural Responses during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Bosnia and Herzegovina Cover Image

Social and Behavioural Responses during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Social and Behavioural Responses during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Author(s): Mia Bakal, Ana Janković, Adnan Hadžiahmetović, Lamija Kovačević, Nejla Omić, Sabina Čehajić-Clancy
Subject(s): Psychology, Social psychology and group interaction, Behaviorism, Health and medicine and law, Present Times (2010 - today)
Published by: Fakultet političkih nauka - Univerzitet u Sarajevu
Keywords: COVID-19; Bosnia and Herzegovina; public health behaviour; political trust; social cohesion;

Summary/Abstract: In this paper we report the results of an online study conducted in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (May 2020). The study examined a range of social and behavioural responses by youth from different ethnic backgrounds and across 63 cities (N = 569). More specifically, the study was focused on investigating the relationship between threat perception, public health behaviour, reported stress level and social cohesion. As expected, results indicate that higher perceived threat relates to higher compliance with health and safety measures despite extremely low levels of political trust. Surprisingly, participants reported relatively low levels of stress despite high social isolation and physical restrictions. These results could partially be explained by an increased level of family interaction. Furthermore, participants reported relatively high levels of social cohesion and common ingroup identification in a usually segregated and conflict-ridden context.

  • Issue Year: IX/2020
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 123-142
  • Page Count: 20
  • Language: English