To distance or to help: People’s ambivalent attitude towards residents from the COVID-19 epicenter

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to drastic changes in the world. One prominent aspect has been the transformation in interpersonal relations, especially people’s attitude towards residents from COVID epicenters. Using a 2-wave national study in mainland China during the pandemic outbreak, this study examined Chinese people’s distancing and helping intentions towards residents from Hubei Province, the epicenter of China at that time. Results suggested that individuals had an ambivalent attitude towards denizens from the epicenter. Specifically, people felt greater risk when they perceived a higher severity of the pandemic and so were more likely to distance from epicenter residents. However, individuals showed greater empathy towards epicenter residents when they felt a higher severity of the pandemic and, therefore, were more likely to help them. Group identity moderated these effects: those with a higher identification as Chinese were more inclined to help Hubei residents, but those with a lower identification as Chinese were more prone to distance from them. The findings provide important implications in understanding interpersonal relationships during the pandemic.