COVID Isolation and Political Ideology

Lauren O'Rourke

The aim of this study was to understand the effect COVID induced isolation had on political ideology. We hypothesized that increased levels of isolation would predict increases in socially conservative attitudes, manifesting as support for voting restrictions, and increases in anti-immigrant attitudes. Using NationScape cross-sectional data from January 2020-January 2021, we find through regression analyses that COVID isolation had a liberalizing effect among Republicans. Likewise, we find that increased levels of isolation predicted more favorable attitudes towards immigrants, lowered belief in a stolen election, and increased support for vote by mail. Both isolation and left media consumption were significant drivers of these effects. 

Major: 
Psychology and Political Science
Exhibition Category: 
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Exhibition Format: 
Oral Presentation
Campus: 
University Park
Faculty Sponsor: 
Pete Hatemi
Poster Number: 
108