Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

LIVE: Thursday 27th June 2024, 18:00-19:30 (CEST)
Join our expert panel to discover why you need to understand the drivers of non-adherence in your patients, and how you can optimize medication adherence in your clinics to drastically improve patient outcomes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2024

Open Access 01-12-2024 | COVID-19 | Research

Solidarity and reciprocity during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal qualitative interview study from Germany

Authors: Franziska B. Schönweitz, Bettina M. Zimmermann, Nora Hangel, Amelia Fiske, Stuart McLennan, Anna Sierawska, Alena Buyx

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2024

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

While solidarity practices were important in mitigating the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, their limits became evident as the pandemic progressed. Taking a longitudinal approach, this study analyses German residents’ changing perceptions of solidarity practices during the COVID-19 pandemic and examines potential reasons for these changes.

Methods

Adults living in Germany were interviewed in April 2020 (n = 46), October 2020 (n = 43) and October 2021 (n = 40) as part of the SolPan Research Commons, a large-scale, international, qualitative, longitudinal study uniquely situated in a major global public health crisis. Interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Results

While solidarity practices were prominently discussed and positively evaluated in April 2020, this initial enthusiasm waned in October 2020 and October 2021. Yet, participants still perceived solidarity as important for managing the pandemic and called for institutionalized forms of solidarity in October 2020 and October 2021. Reasons for these changing perceptions of solidarity included (i) increasing personal and societal costs to act in solidarity, (ii) COVID-19 policies hindering solidarity practices, and (iii) a perceived lack of reciprocity as participants felt that solidarity practices from the state were not matching their individual efforts.

Conclusions

Maintaining solidarity contributes to maximizing public health during a pandemic. Institutionalized forms of solidarity to support those most in need contribute to perceived reciprocity among individuals, which might increase their motivation to act in solidarity. Thus, rather than calling for individual solidarity during times of crisis, authorities should consider implementing sustaining solidarity-based social support systems that go beyond immediate crisis management.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
2.
3.
Kneuer M, Wallaschek S, Framing. COVID-19: Public leadership and crisis communication by chancellor Angela Merkel during the pandemic in 2020. Ger Polit 2022:1–24.
4.
Kenyon C. Flattening-the-curve associated with reduced COVID-19 case fatality rates- an ecological analysis of 65 countries. J Infect. 2020;81(1):e98–9.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
5.
Thunström L, Newbold SC, Finnoff D, Ashworth M, Shogren JF. The benefits and costs of using social distancing to flatten the curve for COVID-19. J Benefit Cost Anal. 2020;11(2):179–95.CrossRef
6.
Zimmermann BM, Fiske A, McLennan S, Sierawska A, Hangel N, Buyx A. Motivations and limits for COVID-19 policy compliance in Germany and Switzerland. Int J Health Policy Manag. 2022;11(8):1342–53.PubMed
7.
8.
Stjernswärd S, Glasdam S. Solidarity and polarisation regarding COVID-19 and related risks - a thematic analysis of comments from an international survey. Soc Sci Humanit Open. 2021;4(1):100211.PubMedPubMedCentral
9.
Prainsack B, Buyx A. Solidarity in Biomedicine and Beyond. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2017.CrossRef
10.
11.
Prainsack B, Buyx A. Solidarity in contemporary bioethics—towards a new approach. Bioethics. 2012;26(7):343–50.PubMedCrossRef
12.
Geiger S, Galasso I, Hangel N, Lucivero F, Watts G. Vulnerability and response-ability in the pandemic marketplace: developing an ethic of care for provisioning in crisis. J Bus Ethics 2023.
13.
14.
Hangel N, Schönweitz F, McLennan S, Fiske A, Zimmermann BM, Buyx A. Solidaristic behavior and its limits: a qualitative study about German and Swiss residents’ behaviors towards public health measures during COVID-19 lockdown in April 2020. SSM - Qualitative Research in Health. 2022;2:100051.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
15.
Lalot F, Abrams D, Broadwood J, Davies Hayon K, Platts-Dunn I. The social cohesion investment: communities that invested in integration programmes are showing greater social cohesion in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. J Community Appl Soc Psychol. 2022;32(3):536–54.PubMedCrossRef
16.
Jewett RL, Mah SM, Howell N, Larsen MM. Social cohesion and community resilience during COVID-19 and pandemics: a rapid scoping review to inform the United Nations research roadmap for COVID-19 recovery. Int J Health Serv. 2021;51(3):325–36.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
17.
Liekefett L, Becker J. Compliance with governmental restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic: A matter of personal self-protection or solidarity with people in risk groups? Br J Soc Psychol. 2021;60(3):924–46.PubMedCrossRef
18.
Schönweitz FB, Eichinger J, Kuiper JML, Ongolly F, Spahl W, Prainsack B, et al. The social meanings of artefacts: face masks in the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Public Health. 2022;10:829904.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
19.
Cheng KK, Lam TH, Leung CC. Wearing face masks in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic: altruism and solidarity. The Lancet. 2020;399(10336):e39–e40.CrossRef
20.
Patzina A, Dietrich H. The social gradient in COVID-19 vaccination intentions and the role of solidarity beliefs among adolescents. SSM Popul Health. 2022;17:101054.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
21.
Majid U, Ahmad M, Zain S, Akande A, Ikhlaq F. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and acceptance: a comprehensive scoping review of global literature. Health Promot Int. 2022;37(3):1–12.CrossRef
22.
Su Z, McDonnell D, Li X, Bennett B, Šegalo S, Abbas J et al. COVID-19 vaccine donations-Vaccine Empathy or Vaccine Diplomacy? A narrative literature review. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9(9).
23.
Figueroa JP, Hotez PJ, Batista C, Ben Amor Y, Ergonul O, Gilbert S, et al. Achieving global equity for COVID-19 vaccines: stronger international partnerships and greater advocacy and solidarity are needed. PLoS Med. 2021;18(9):e1003772.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
24.
25.
Ayalon L, Chasteen A, Diehl M, Levy B, Neupert SD, Rothermund K et al. Aging in Times of the COVID-19 pandemic: avoiding ageism and fostering intergenerational Solidarity. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2020.
26.
Ellerich-Groppe N, Pfaller L, Schweda M. Young for old-old for young? Ethical perspectives on intergenerational solidarity and responsibility in public discourses on COVID-19. Eur J Ageing. 2021;18(2):159–71.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
27.
Fraser S, Lagacé M, Bongué B, Ndeye N, Guyot J, Bechard L, et al. Ageism and COVID-19: what does our society’s response say about us? Age Ageing. 2020;49(5):692–5.PubMedCrossRef
28.
Rackimuthu S, Narain K, Lal A, Nawaz FA, Mohanan P, Essar MY, et al. Redressing COVID-19 vaccine inequity amidst booster doses: charting a bold path for global health solidarity, together. Global Health. 2022;18(1):23.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
29.
Torres I, Lopez-Cevallos D, Artaza O, Profeta B, Kang J, Machado CV. Vaccine scarcity in LMICs is a failure of global solidarity and multilateral instruments. Lancet. 2021;397(10287):1804.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
30.
31.
Cicchi L, Genschel P, Hemerijck A, Nasr M. EU solidarity in times of Covid-19. European University Institute; 2020.
32.
Garben S. Dignity-and reciprocity-based solidarity as the normative framework of the EUs constitutional settlement. In: Hartzén A-C, Iossa A, Karageorgiou E, editors. Law, Solidarity and the limits of Social Europe. Edward Elgar Publishing; 2022. pp. 158–81.
33.
Gandenberger MK, Knotz CM, Fossati F, Bonoli G. Conditional Solidarity - attitudes towards support for others during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. J Soc Pol. 2022:1–19.
34.
García Agustín Ó, Jørgensen MB. Solidarity and the ‘refugee crisis’ in Europe. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan; 2019. (Palgrave Pivot).CrossRef
35.
Bazzani G. Climate Solidarity: a Framework and Research Agenda for Low-Carbon Behavior. Sociol Forum (Randolph N J). 2023;38(2):352–74.CrossRef
36.
United Nations Development Programme. Fighting climate change: human solidarity in a divided world. Human Development Report 2007/2008. New York: Palgrave Macmillan; 2007. pp. 1–18.CrossRef
37.
Zimmermann BM, Wagenaar H, Kieslich K, Prainsack B, Meyers G, Buyx A, et al. Democratic research: setting up a research commons for a qualitative, comparative, longitudinal interview study during the COVID-19 pandemic. SSM - Qualitative Research in Health. 2022;2:100158.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
38.
Kieslich K, Fiske A, Gaille M, Galasso I, Geiger S, Hangel N et al. Solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from a nine-country interview study in Europe. Med Humanit 2023; (Online First).
39.
Tong A, Sainsbury P, Craig J. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. IJQHC. 2007;19(6):349–57.
40.
Wagenaar H, Kieslich K, Hangel N, Zimmermann B, Prainsack B. Collaborative comparisons: a pragmatist approach towards designing large-scale, comparative qualitative research. SSM - Qualitative Research in Health. 2022;2:100172.CrossRef
41.
Low J. A pragmatic definition of the Concept of Theoretical Saturation. Sociol Focus. 2019;52(2):131–9.CrossRef
42.
43.
Bertogg A, Koos S. Socio-economic position and local solidarity in times of crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of informal helping arrangements in Germany. Res Soc Stratif Mobil. 2021;74:100612.PubMedPubMedCentral
44.
West-Oram PGN. Solidarity is for other people: identifying derelictions of solidarity in responses to COVID-19. J Med Ethics. 2021;47(2):65–8.PubMedCrossRef
45.
Kaup T, Schweda A, Krakowczyk J, Dinse H, Skoda E-M, Teufel M et al. Levels, predictors, and distribution of Interpersonal Solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19(4).
46.
Stok FM, Bal M, Yerkes MA, de Wit JBF. Social Inequality and Solidarity in Times of COVID-19. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18(12).
47.
Fiske A, Schönweitz F, Eichinger J, Zimmermann BM, Hangel N, Sierawska A, et al. The COVID-19 vaccine: Trust, doubt, and hope for a future beyond the pandemic in Germany. PLoS ONE. 2022;17(4):e0266659.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
48.
49.
50.
Zimmermann BM, Buyx A, McLennan S. Newspaper coverage on solidarity and personal responsibility in the COVID-19 pandemic: a content analysis from Germany and german-speaking Switzerland. SSM Popul Health. 2023;22:101388.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
51.
Zimmermann BM, Eichinger J, Schönweitz F, Buyx A. Face mask uptake in the absence of mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative interview study with Swiss residents. BMC Public Health. 2021;21(1):2171.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
52.
Paul KT, Zimmermann BM, Corsico P, Fiske A, Geiger S, Johnson S, et al. Anticipating hopes, fears and expectations towards COVID-19 vaccines: a qualitative interview study in seven European countries. SSM - Qualitative Research in Health. 2022;2:100035.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
53.
Zimmermann BM, Paul KT, Araújo ER, Buyx A, Ferstl S, Fiske A, et al. The social and socio-political embeddedness of COVID-19 vaccination decision-making: a five-country qualitative interview study from Europe. Vaccine. 2023;41(12):2084–92.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
54.
Spahl W, Pot M, Paul KT. Understanding compliance as multi-faceted: values and practices during the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria. Crit Public Health. 2022;32(5):665–76.CrossRef
55.
Prainsack B, Buyx A. Thinking ethical and regulatory frameworks in medicine from the perspective of solidarity on both sides of the Atlantic. Theor Med Bioeth. 2016;37(6):489–501.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
56.
Gaille M, Horn R. Solidarity and autonomy: two conflicting values in English and French health care and bioethics debates? Theor Med Bioeth. 2016;37(6):441–6.PubMedCrossRef
57.
Libal K, Kashwan P. Solidarity in times of crisis. J Hum Rights. 2020;19(5):537–46.CrossRef
58.
Berrocal M, Kranert M, Attolino P, Santos JAB, Santamaria SG, Henaku N et al. Constructing collective identities and solidarity in premiers’ early speeches on COVID-19: a global perspective. Humanit Soc Sci Commun 2021; 8(1).
Metadata
Title
Solidarity and reciprocity during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal qualitative interview study from Germany
Authors
Franziska B. Schönweitz
Bettina M. Zimmermann
Nora Hangel
Amelia Fiske
Stuart McLennan
Anna Sierawska
Alena Buyx
Publication date
01-12-2024
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
COVID-19
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17521-7

Other articles of this Issue 1/2024

BMC Public Health 1/2024 Go to the issue

Research

Secondary analyses of sex differences in attention improvements across three clinical trials of a digital therapeutic in children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD

Research

Predictive effects of organizational justice on job satisfaction in bus drivers: the moderating effects of role overload and proactive personality

Research

A systematic review of second-hand smoking mass media campaigns (2002–2022)

Research

Bullying experiences before and after the transition from lower to upper secondary school: associations with subsequent mental health in a Swedish cohort

Research

The association between dietary total antioxidant capacity and hearing loss: results from the Tehran employees Cohort Study

Research

Prevalence and associated factors of self-medication in worldwide pregnant women: systematic review and meta-analysis