COVID-19 Societal Effects and Perceptions: A Case Study of Italy

Abstract

This study employs a survey to investigate the societal response to COVID-19 in Italy. Data were collected via snowball sampling during the period April 2020 to April 2021 using the ArcGIS Survey 123 survey instrument. The study collected and analyzed 64 responses to investigate various aspects related to COVID-19. The areas covered in the analysis include socioeconomics, changing symptoms, relocation, physical distancing, health, social behaviors (past and future), personal attitudes, perceptions of government/public response and efficacy, beliefs, travel habits, well-being, current event worries, pandemic challenges, depression, vaccine, public opinion, personality, public health measures, social media preference, and contact with others. The study’s results provide a snapshot of how people across Italy experienced the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and can help public health organizations, decision-makers, and the general public address policies related to symptoms, social distance, policy measures/regulations, and social behaviors during the different policy phases and wave measures related to COVID-19 effects.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• Italy
• perceptions
• attitudes
• beliefs
• survey