COVID-19 leads to a decrease in prosocial behaviour among disadvantaged adolescents

 

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/934596

 

 News Release 11-Nov-2021
Peer-Reviewed Publication
University of Cologne

 

If a family member falls ill with COVID-19, this has a particularly negative effect on young people from an economically disadvantaged and less educated background. These adolescents not only fall behind in school, their non-cognitive abilities also suffer: they are less prosocial than before. This means that they behave less generously, altruistically, and cooperatively. Moreover, their willingness to trust others decreases. In addition to declining academic performance, this development can also bring disadvantages for them in the long term.

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 In the past, several studies have already shown that the pandemic affects people from economically disadvantaged and less educated backgrounds more strongly in the areas of health, labour, and education. Sutter’s team now showed to what extent COVID-19 has a negative impact on prosocial behaviour – with consequences. Economists agree that non-cognitive skills such as prosociality contribute significantly to success in later working life. ‘In the long term, this development could have a negative impact on the opportunities of those affected on the labour market,’ said Sutter.

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