Self-Transcendence: A Cross-Cultural Study With Democracy in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Jennifer Lau, Yi-Hui Christine Huang, Qinxian Cai, Jun Li, Jie Sun, Ruoheng Liu
Cross-Cultural Research August 2, 2023 DOI: 10.1177/10693971231192729 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-cultural survey study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 36,304 |
| Population | Adults surveyed online in 16 societies across Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) |
| Key findings | Self-transcendence showed a negative relationship with confidence in one's own government, and this negative association was especially pronounced in less democratic societies. The authors present the findings as expanding Schwartz's theory of basic values and as a basis for recommending that institutions obtain community consent before implementing strict health measures. |
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and the steps governments took to combat it tormented societies across the globe. Accordingly, existential positive psychologists have emphasized the importance of self-transcendence in mitigating the distress and agony caused by prolonged and rigorous health measures. In this cross-cultural study, the correlation between self-transcendence, people’s confidence in government, and democracy was examined. Based on the findings of an online survey (n = 36,304) conducted in 16 societies in Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the multi-level analysis established that self-transcendence had a negative relationship with people’s confidence in their own government, especially in less democratic societies. Besides expanding the Schwartz theory of basic values and inspiring theoretical developments for new research, this paper recommends that related institutions obtain community consent before pushing out strict health measures.