Backlash Effect? White Americans' Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic

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Principal investigator:

Lafleur Stephens-Dougan

Princeton University

Email: lafleurs@princeton.edu

Homepage: https://politics.princeton.edu/people/lafleur-stephens-dougan


Sample size: 591

Field period: 04/29/2020-06/08/2020

Abstract
Statistics indicate that people of color are more likely to contract and die from the coronavirus, with African Americans, in particular, bearing a disproportionate burden. Individual choices, such as wearing a face mask can help to slow the spread of the pandemic. Yet, not all Americans are choosing to engage in this behavior. This study explores the extent to which racial attitudes are influencing some White Americans' opinions on COVID-19 regulations.
Hypotheses
Experimental Manipulations

Control
As of May 21, 2020, there have been more than 1.5 million cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States. Over 93,000 Americans have died as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19), but some places have been hit harder than others. In New York, which has the country's highest numbers of confirmed cases and deaths, over 22,000 people have died. In Michigan, over 5,000 people have died from the virus. In Louisiana, 2,485 people have died from the virus. Finally, in Illinois, 4,525 people have died from the coronavirus.

Treatment
As of May 21, 2020, there have been more than 1.5 million cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States. Over 93,000 Americans have died as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19), but some places have been hit harder than others, with Blacks/African Americans having disproportionate death rates. In New York, which has the country's highest numbers of confirmed cases and deaths, over 22,000 people have died, but Blacks/African Americans are three times as likely to die as Whites. In Michigan, over 5,000 people have died from the virus, but Blacks/African Americans are five times as likely as Whites to die from the virus. In Louisiana, where 2,485 people have died from the virus, Blacks/African Americans account for 60% of the coronavirus deaths, while they are only 33% of the population. Finally, in Illinois, 4,525 people have died from the coronavirus. Blacks/African Americans account for 42% of the coronavirus deaths in Illinois, although they are only 15% of the population. Collectively, Blacks/African Americans represent 12.9% of the population nationwide but have suffered 25.1% of deaths.

Outcomes
  1. How important is it for people to wear a mask when coming close to people outside of their home (because of the coronavirus outbreak)?
  2. State and local directives that ask people to "shelter in place" or to be "safer at home" are a threat to individual rights and freedom.
  3. During the coronavirus outbreak, please indicate whether each of the following should be allowed without any restrictions, allowed but with restrictions on crowd size or physical distancing, or not allowed at all in the United States:
    Visiting parks, beaches, or other outdoor spaces
  4. How often do you think the following groups follow social distancing guidelines? (Blacks/African Americans)
Summary of Results

Racially prejudiced Whites exposed to the treatment were less likely to think that it was "extremely" or "very" important to wear a face mask, compared to racially prejudiced Whites in the control condition (32 percent vs 60 percent) p<0.05.

Racially prejudiced Whites exposed to the treatment were more likely to agree that shelter-in-place-orders were a threat to their individual rights and freedoms, relative to the control condition (46 percent vs. 30 percent) p < 0.10

Racially prejudiced Whites exposed to the treatment were more likely to support outdoor recreational activities without any restrictions, relative to the control condition (32 percent vs. 14 percent) p<0.05

Racially prejudiced Whites exposed tot the treatment were more likely to perceive Black people as not following social distancing guidelines, relative to the control condition (71 percent vs. 45 percent) p < 0.05

References
2021. Stephens-Dougan, LaFleur. "White Americans' Reactions to Racial Disparities in COVID-19" (Working Paper)

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