Work

The effect of social distancing on trust and solidarity

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This paper investigates the effect of social distancing on behavioral traits (trust, trustworthiness, and solidarity) that are important in interpersonal relationships. Toward this goal, we exploit the exogenous manipulation of social distancing provided by the different timing of stay-at-home orders issued in New York and Arizona during the COVID-19 outbreak. The experimental design also entails a between-subject manipulation in order to distinguish In-group vs. Out-group effects. The results show a positive In-group effect on trust, robust to the degree of compliance to the treatment, while we do not find evidence of significant effects on the other behavioral traits.

Source: Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics

DOI: 10.1016/j.socec.2025.102402

Authors: Antonio Filippin, Noemi Pace

Institutions: University of Milan, IZA - Institute of Labor Economics, University of Teramo

Language: English

Topic: Experimental Behavioral Economics Studies

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,830

OpenAlex ID: W4412447283

FWCI: 3.122

Cites: 68

Cited by: 3

Related to: 10