Demographic Attributes and Attitudes of COVID-19-skeptics in Russia

Sokolov B. Afanasyeva Y. Zavadskaya M.
2025 Routledge

Problems of Post-Communism
2025

Using an online survey from June 2020 (N = 1,527), we explored correlates of COVID-19 skepticism in Russia, where it was widespread: 38% of respondents supported the statement that the pandemic is a hoax and lockdown measures are an overreaction. Compared to non-skeptics, skeptics were more likely to be middle-aged males with low education. Covid experience reduced skepticism, while economic hardship increased it. Skeptics scored lower on Schwartz’s conservation values and higher on openness to change. They distrusted the traditional media, government, and healthcare, were more critical of the government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis, and held lower national pride.

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Ronald F. Inglehart Laboratory for Comparative Social Research, HSE University, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
Independent Researcher, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Independent Researcher, Helsinki, Finland

Ronald F. Inglehart Laboratory for Comparative Social Research
Independent Researcher
Independent Researcher

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