SO FAR, SO CLOSE: IDENTIFICATION WITH PROXIMAL AND DISTAL GROUPS AS PROMOTORS OF VACCINATION, CONTAINMENT MEASURES AND PRO-SOCIAL BEHAVIORS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

A robust body of research highlighted the fundamental role of social identification in dealing with emergencies and in predicting commitment in cooperative behavior. We report the results of a research carried out during April and June 2020 to verify whether the subjective sense of belonging to meaningful groups affected the way people were able to cope with the pandemic crisis. Our findings showed that different identifications (with family, friends, Italy, Europe, humanity) represent a benefit for the collectiveness by leading people to increase their intention of being vaccinated, to adhere to containment measures (keeping physical distancing, rubbing hands with alcohol-based sanitizers, wearing face mask), and to be involved in prosocial actions (helping the elderly in needs). Moreover, social identifications promote individuals’ psychological well-being by reducing their negative emotions and the perception of the negative impact of the pandemic on their lives. The implication of different types of identification (proximal vs distant) on the intention to get vaccinated, to accept containment measures and to help others will be discussed.