During this pandemic, it is important for people to stay home and follow the government's guidelines to avoid contact with others.
Being confined to one place can be challenging since we are social creatures who need human interaction. Being isolated from others can lead to anxiety and depression, which can affect our ability to function properly. It also leads to collective stress, where everyone around us feels stressed due to the situation. This collective stress can reshape how we view relational responsibility and trust.
We can see that during this time, there have been many instances where individuals prioritize themselves before anyone else. In some cases, people have gone out even though they were told not to because they felt like they needed things. Others have ignored other people's needs to get what they want. People may feel more entitled to do whatever they desire without considering the consequences or impact on others. When situations like these arise, we can become more selfish, believing that we should prioritize ourselves above all else.
This kind of behavior changes how we perceive relational responsibility. We start to believe that as long as we meet our own needs, then we are responsible in a relationship. But relationships go beyond just meeting our individual needs; we must consider those of our partner, family, friends, etc. Collective stress makes us less likely to think about how our actions affect others. This is why it's essential to take a step back and reevaluate your perceptions of relational responsibility.
Collective stress also influences our trust in others. When everyone seems overwhelmed by the pandemic, we may lose faith in them. If someone breaks the rules or disobeys guidelines, it becomes challenging to trust them since they don't seem to care about their health or safety.
We need to remember that not everyone will make the right decisions, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't trust them. Trust is crucial in any relationship, whether platonic, romantic, or professional. It allows us to be vulnerable and open up with each other without fear of being hurt. So, instead of focusing on how much we can trust others, let's focus on building strong bonds based on mutual understanding and respect.
Collective stress reshapes our view of relational responsibility and trust. It can make us feel like we only have to worry about ourselves and what we want, which leads to selfishness and lack of trust in others.
We must acknowledge these feelings and work through them so that we can continue to build healthy relationships during this time. By doing this, we can maintain positive connections even under difficult circumstances.
How does exposure to collective stress reshape perceptions of relational responsibility and trust?
The research study by Liu et al. (2018) shows that exposure to collective stress can reshape individuals' perceptions of their roles in relationships and affect their levels of trust towards others. During times of high stress, individuals may experience feelings of vulnerability, uncertainty, and fear, which can lead them to focus more on themselves rather than on others.