Lockdowns and other public health measures to control the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have had profound social and economic consequences. Although lockdowns have altered virtually every aspect of normative human activity, including leisure, schooling, childcare, travel, work location, commuting, and exercise, the effects on economic and social activity are particularly concerning, because they are at the core of healthy individual and societal functioning (Delle Fave et al., 2016; Van Hal, 2015). An especially troubling aspect of lockdowns is their impact on in-person social interaction with close others and “weak ties,” peripheral members of our social network who contribute to well-being and social cohesion (Granovetter, 1973). The crucial role of social relationships in psychological functioning is widely recognized, but their role in ameliorating COVID-19 economic stress has not been systematically investigated over time. One crucial element is social-affiliative and cooperative behavior, both of which are embedded in a broader social context. Indeed, social capital likely plays a key moderating role in adaptive social-affiliative responses to stress (Mancini, 2019; Taylor, 2006). The present project will focus on the mental health consequences of COVID-19 economic stress and the role of social factors in ameliorating it. In social-contextual environments that are more trusting, cooperative, and mutualistic (higher social capital), economic stressors will be more likely to promote social-affiliative behavior, reducing the economic impact of COVID-19 on distress, vulnerability to adverse outcomes, and well-being. By contrast, social-contextual environments that are low in social capital (less trust, cooperation, and mutualism) may inhibit the use of social-affiliation as a regularized means of coping with economic stress. Our project addresses these questions by using observational quasi-experimental methods that investigate the contexts and consequences of variation in social-affiliative behavior in relation to social capital and COVID-19 related economic stress. We have recruited a large sample of participants across major metropolitan and county-level regions of the United States with differing levels of COVID-19 economic impact (High vs. Low) and social capitol (High vs. Low). 

As a principal investigator, Dr. Anthony Mancini of Pace University was awarded a 4-year $440,000 grant by the National Institutes of Health to study the psychological aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study examines the long-term social, economic, and psychological impacts of the pandemic, focusing on the broader social environment in ameliorating its negative effects. To achieve these aims, we assess various aspects of functioning, including financial strain, employment status, general distress, well-being, loneliness, social behavior, social support, and the perception of close others. In doing so, we will evaluate the interaction between social capital and economic impact. This study will provide insight into the impact of economic stress more broadly on key psychological functioning outcomes. This great effort is taken so that our findings may inform policy decisions, clinical intervention, and future research on collective acute stressors.