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The Strong-Ties and Weak-Ties Rationality Scale (STWTRS) is a theory-driven measure of the culture-insiders' reasoning about the world. In this study, we further explored the latent structure of STWTRS in a cross-indigenous study (n = 2,173) conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic in two Asian countries (China and Malaysia) and two Western countries (Australia and the United States). We hypothesized that strong ties (ST) versus weak ties (WT) rationality can predict different downstream perceptions such as preferred support system and public stigma (PS) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results revealed consistently a two-factor structure in ST rationality—ST as communal (ST-C) and ST as authoritarian (ST-A); and in WT rationality—WT as analytic (WT-A) and WT as independent (WT-I), across four countries. Within-country comparisons revealed that both Asian countries had significantly higher ST scores than WT scores, whereas WT was significantly higher than ST in both Western countries. As predicted, across all four countries, ST-C was positively and significantly correlated with social tightness and preferred ST support system, whereas ST-A was the best predictor for PS. Variations of correlation patterns across countries could be explained by their respective exposure to Western influence. Findings could be explained by ecological-rationality match and construal-level theory, thereby opening up new conceptual horizons for future research in culture and rationality. Public Significance Statement: This large-scale study across four nations demonstrates how COVID-related phenomena such as pandemic stigma and preferred help-seeking networks can be predicted by basic human reasoning along the divide between strong-ties and weak-ties rationalities. The results shed light on the so far neglected aspects of the Asian populations, to capture what is unique about them, and to provide a more nuanced explanation of cross-cultural differences. By developing insight into the reasoning (rationality) behind the behaviors of the culturally different other, this study has the potential to deescalate the rising international tension in the post-COVID-19 era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

We investigated the relationship between strong‐ties versus weak‐ties rationality and public stigma (PS) during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We also explored the cultural group differences (Malaysians vs. Australians) in this relationship. An online survey was conducted in 2021 with a final sample of 830 eligible Malaysians and 394 eligible Australians. Participants completed the multidimensional strong‐ties weak‐ties rationality Scale (STWTRS) and an adapted public stigma (PS) scale towards COVID‐19 patients. Through multiple regression analysis, we found that the strong‐ties rationality, ST‐Authoritarian rationality, was positively associated with PS‐Blame in both countries. However, the variable Country moderated the relationship between ST‐Communal and PS‐Rejection, with a negative association found in Malaysia and a positive association in Australia. The findings confirmed the strong‐ties weak‐ties rationality framework, where ST rationality, especially ST‐Authoritarian, could explain the cognitive mechanism behind negative attitudes towards those who pose threat towards the in‐group survival. However, ST‐Communal could buffer the rejection towards the COVID‐19 patients in Malaysia due to its emphasis on social harmony. This study can inform future interventions aimed at mitigating stigma and promoting a more inclusive and supportive society in times of crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This paper examines the association between religious identity, religiosity (internal vs external), and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from two cross-sectional surveys were used to test these associations among Malaysians from the three major religious groups—Muslims, Christians, and Buddhists—as well as mixed qualitative coding on illness beliefs and helpful resources. During the pandemic, higher religiosity was associated with less perceived stress, external religiosity was negatively associated with stress, and internal religiosity was positively associated with life satisfaction among young adults. Thematic coding also confirmed a variety of illness beliefs and helpful resources relevant to social and religious norms. Different pathways of religious coping were utilized during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

As cultural conflicts are intensifying locally and internationally in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic, fine-tuned investigation of culture/religion, especially that of the marginalized populations, holds the potential to reduce disparity and suffering in the global village. This study used 3 textual analysis programs--Topic Modeling, C-LIWC, and SSWC-Chinese--to shed light on the differences in cognition and emotion between two communities with radically different religious beliefs (Bimo and Christianity) among the Yi ethnic minority in Southwest China. Findings from these programs replicated the manual coding results of the previous study, and confirmed the prediction that cultural differences in cognition and emotion between the Yi-Bimo and the Yi-Christian fall along the divide between strong-ties and weak-ties rationality (Sundararajan, 2020a). Demonstrating an edge of advantage over manual coding, this machine-assisted analysis lends convergent validity to the previous study, and presents a more nuanced picture of diversity in emotion and cognition among the Chinese, with practical implications for future research and intervention for the marginalized populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: Though many literatures documented burnout and occupational hazard among healthcare workers and frontliners during pandemic, not many adopted a systemic approach to look at the resilience among this population. Another under-studied population was the large numbers of global healthcare workers who have been deployed to tackle the crisis of COVID-19 pandemic in the less resourceful regions. We investigated both the mental wellbeing risk and protective factors of a deployed healthcare workers (DHWs) team in Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus outbreak during 2020. Method: A consensual qualitative research approach was adopted with 25 DHWs from H province through semi-structured interviews after 3 months of deployment period. Results: Inductive-Deductive thematic coding with self-reflexivity revealed multi-layered risk and protective factors for DHWs at the COVID-19 frontline. Intensive working schedule and high-risk environment, compounded by unfamiliar work setting and colleagues; local culture adaptation; isolation from usual social circle, strained the DHWs. Meanwhile, reciprocal relationships and "familial relatedness" with patients and colleagues; organizational support to the DHWs and their immediate families back home, formed crucial wellbeing resources in sustaining the DHWs. The dynamic and dialectical relationships between risk and protective factors embedded in multiple layers of relational contexts could be mapped into a socio-ecological framework. Conclusion: Our multidisciplinary study highlights the unique social connectedness between patient-DHWs; within DHWs team; between deploying hospital and DHWs; and between DHWs and the local partners. We recommend five organizational strategies as mental health promotion and capacity building for DHWs to build a resilient network and prevent burnout at the disaster frontline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Many psychological researchers have proven the deteriorating effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic on public mental health. In Malaysia, various Covid-19 clusters were associated with religious gatherings. From a cultural psychology perspective, how ethno-religious groups respond to this crisis originating from their unique rationality and ecological systems. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the illness perceptions of major religious groups (Christian, Muslim, and Buddhist) in Malaysia toward the Covid-19 pandemic, their stress levels, and the relationship between illness perception, stress, and forms of religious expression during the lockdown period. Through an online survey method, 608 Malaysian religious believers were included in this mixed-method empirical study, which adapted standardized instruments [Duke University Religion Index (DUREL), Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)]. Statistical analysis showed that all three groups reported moderate levels of stress in average without any significant difference after controlling for age. Both internal and external forms of religious expression had a significant negative relationship with stress levels. Personal control, comprehension, and emotions domains of illness perception accounted for a significant variance in the stress level. Furthermore, religious expression significantly moderated the relationship between some illness perception domains and stress. Qualitative coding revealed that most participants perceived human behavior and attitudes, sociopolitical, and sociological factors as causal factors to the current pandemic. These findings confirmed the relationship between religious expression, illness belief, and stress regulation during the pandemic lockdown. Incidental findings of age as a potential protective factor for Malaysian believers warrants further study. In the conclusion, implications for public health policymakers and religious communities on pandemic prevention and well-being promotion were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...