Trust in Government and Social Isolation during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Brazil

ABSTRACT

Government actions can help to convince populations to participate in the resolution of collective problems. However, in order for citizens to feel motivated to contribute to managing a public health problem, it is necessary to develop a relationship based on trust. Therefore, this study analyzes the effect of trust in government on the behaviour of citizens related to the adoption of social isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic, through a survey with 1,154 citizens from the state of Ceará in northeastern Brazil. Additionally, the factors which are associated with the adoption of social isolation and trust in government were verified. The results showed that trust in government positively affects citizens’ behavior related to social isolation, suggesting that the bond between government and society, developed through citizens’ trust in government, contributes to more effective combatting of Covid-19. In addition, it was identified that gender, education, and occupation are associated with the adoption of social isolation and trust in government. Place of residence and income are associated only with the adoption of social isolation. Finally, it was verified that people who live with someone in the high-risk group for Covid-19 tend to comply with social isolation more strictly and trust the government more. In contrast, people who tested positive or presented symptoms of the disease comply with social isolation less effectively and trust the government less.

KEYWORDS:

• Trust
• government
• social isolation
• COVID-19
• pandemic

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).