Graph-based open-ended survey on concerns related to COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology
• Psychology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented global challenges.
• Understanding public concerns is crucial for effective crisis management.
• Japanese cultural context may influence pandemic response and public opinion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the primary concerns of the Japanese public during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To analyze the evolution and interconnectedness of public opinions using a novel survey method.
• To identify the key drivers of public anxiety beyond infection risk.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the graph-based open-ended survey (GOS) framework across four surveys from April to August 2020.
• Employed a hybrid survey approach allowing free-form opinions to become selectable choices for other respondents.
• Constructed and clustered annotated opinion graphs to visualize opinion relationships and patterns.

Main Results:

• Social pressure, including anticipated criticism and discrimination, emerged as a significant concern, surpassing infection risk.
• Opinion graph analysis revealed the interconnected and multi-faceted nature of public concerns.
• Findings suggest cultural collectivism and government policies emphasizing personal responsibility may exacerbate social pressure.

Conclusions:

• Social pressure represents a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of public health crises.
• The findings highlight the potential negative societal and individual consequences of ostracism and mutual surveillance.
• Public health strategies should address psychosocial factors alongside biological risks.