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How Does Social Class Affect Need for Structure during the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Moderated Mediating Model Analysis
Ting-Ting Rao1, Shen-Long Yang1, Xiaowen Zhu1
1School of Humanities and Social Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|January 21, 2022
Summary
Social class influences the need for structure, mediated by perceived control. However, high COVID-19 pandemic threat alters this relationship, showing individuals still seek structure regardless of social standing.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global mental health and behavior.
- Understanding individual psychological needs during crises is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine social class differences in the need for structure.
- To investigate the mediating role of perceived control.
- To explore the moderating effect of pandemic threat on this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Data collected from non-student adults in China.
- Statistical analysis to assess mediation and moderation effects.
Main Results:
- Lower social class correlated with a lower need for structure, mediated by perceived control.
- This mediation effect weakened under high pandemic threat.
- In high-threat conditions, individuals with higher social class and perceived control showed an increased need for structure.
Conclusions:
- Social class and perceived control influence the need for structure, but this is contingent on perceived threat.
- Pandemic threat can override typical social class-based needs for structure, highlighting a universal drive for order in crisis.
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