Support for Emancipative Values in Russia during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

In this article we analyze nationwide and individual trends in emancipative values in Russia during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the correlation between values and various personal COVID-19 pandemic experiences. Using panel data from 3 waves of a survey titled “Values in Crisis” we were able to identify a minor increase in support for choice values and an equally minor decrease in support for equality values between June 2020 and December 2021. Negative personal economic experiences during the pandemic reduce support for equality values whereas future financial concerns are positively, albeit weakly, associated with equality values. Neither personally succumbing to COVID-19 nor health-related anxiety are linked to support for gender equality. Neither indicator of negative pandemic experience correlates with individual choice values. Overall, emancipative value alignments seem to be resistant to shortterm deterioration of living conditions in Russia, both at the societal and the individual level.