Unmasking the Pandemic’s Dark Side: Exploring the Roles of Stress,Emotions,and Alcohol Use in Violent Behavior Across Six Countries

Abstract

We use international survey data recently collected among adults in six countries (Ukraine, Guatemala, Pakistan, the Netherlands, Denmark, and the United States) to examine the global variations in interpersonal violent behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that pandemic-related stress is significantly associated with violent behavior in most countries. Depression emerges as a significant predictor of violence across all countries and as a mediator between pandemic stress and violent behavior in multiple* contexts. On the other hand, negative affect and alcohol use predict violent behavior only in non-Western contexts. We provide policy implications focused on prevention and reduction of violence cross-nationally during public health crises.

Keywords

COVID-19 pandemic mental health alcohol use violence crime

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