The qualitative long-term study “Corona Lifestyle” by Diakonie Deutschland accompanied and questioned 50 people during the pandemic for a year. The result was eight different types of corona. Do you find each other again?
Over the course of a year, 50 people from a cross-section of the German population were asked how they experience their everyday life during the pandemic, what gives them stability in the crisis and also to what extent the church and diakonia support them.
“This is the first time that a long-term study is available in German-speaking countries, which enables an undisguised view of people’s attitude to life in all phases of the pandemic,” said Daniel Hörsch, head of the study at the Evangelical Future Workshop “midi”.
The Corona types offer a differentiated view of people’s needs
The study was carried out in cooperation with Diakonie Deutschland, the health company Agaplesion gAG, the Evangelical Church in Germany, the Evangelical Theological Faculty of the Ludwig Maximillians University in Munich (LMU) and the Limest market research institute.
The different types of corona are inevitably “always a bit pointed,” said Ulrich Lilie, President of Diakonie Deutschland. However, they would offer a nuanced view of the current needs of society. This is the only way to effectively counteract the material and psychosocial consequences of the pandemic.
These are the 8 different types of corona
1. The mindful
According to the results of the study, the mindful are seekers on the path to self-realization and strive for inner peace. You like to try new things, are responsible and freedom-loving. The crisis showed them that humanity has natural limits. From their point of view, a different, more careful use of natural resources is necessary. They strive for solidarity and tolerance in society.
The mindful saw the pandemic as relatively relaxed, but they found the precautionary measures annoying and are sometimes skeptical and critical of the vaccination.
2. The burned out
Burned-out people are downright power people, but have reached their limits in the pandemic. The multitude of bad news overloads and debilitates them. Resignation is currently a basic feeling for them. Crises unsettle them, they look for a pragmatic and humane approach and put their own well-being behind that of others. The family in particular is the focus of care.
Burned out people often lived in isolation out of fear of infecting others. However, they perceived the measures as strict regulations – especially the visiting times in hospitals and care facilities. You want nothing more than a place to drop.
3. The indignant
According to the study, the outraged see themselves as urban, cosmopolitan avant-gardists. You actively stand up for humanity, justice and solidarity and are considered to be open-minded, creative, sociable and spontaneous. They find out about changes in society and take an active part in socio-political life.
The outraged are characterized by a time-critical and optimistic attitude towards the pandemic. Social distancing was mainly dealt with creatively and digitally in the Freundeskreis. You are making the best of the crisis and have used the time for self-reflection. Outraged hope that their own life will make the world a little better.
4. The thinkers: within
According to the study, the thinkers are shaped by parents from the 68 generation. In contrast to the indignant, the thinkers see themselves as the intellectual avant-garde. The freedom of thought is paramount. They are skeptical or even negative about everything dogmatic. In-depth knowledge is the most important thing in a crisis. Thinkers: inside always have the big picture in mind – they are considered tolerant do-gooders: inside with a close connection to philosophy, the natural sciences and ethics.
Thinkers perceive the pandemic as beneficial. They are very critical of the excitement in the world, and they find fault with the lack of foresight and unclear crisis communication. They place the pandemic in the overall context, see the long-term consequences and appreciate the exchange among like-minded people.
5. The exhausted
According to the study, those who are exhausted have always perceived life as a struggle. In the short description they are described as “in the best sense of the word: petty-bourgeois”. Life is like a hamster wheel – obligations follow new tasks, many sacrifices are required. Exhausted people perceive crises as challenges and burdens and still strive to manage everyday life perfectly.
They are characterized by a fatalistic attitude towards the pandemic, find out about the current situation and think about the effects on society and coexistence. The exhausted people took the rules during the pandemic seriously and meticulously adhered to them. They want more encouragement for their services and long for exchange and support. The greatest wish: a pause button – take a deep breath.
6. The frugal
The frugal is the “aspiring young middle-class middle class”, according to the study. Raised up in intact families, sheltered in the country, enjoyed a good education, contact with the city and mobile work as the normal form of work – those are the frugal ones. They pay great attention to their work-life balance, with their job often only serving to ensure a good life. They are very concerned about emotional and material security, the focus is on building their own nests.
They approach challenges pragmatically, which is why the frugal ones got through the pandemic well overall. For her, this time was not threatening or existential for her own life. Overall, those who are frugal have the need to slow down, for inner peace and balance.
7. The participants: inside
The study describes the participants as a “responsible middle class” who live in the village and whose family and social life are the focus. They perceive themselves as the backbone of society and are generally less anxious. They are careful to obey the rules and have little understanding of intolerance and selfishness.
The participants were only indirectly affected by the corona pandemic. In the family context, the main focus was on caring for the older family members. They are well informed and sometimes take a critical view of the excitement. They very much hope that the vaccinations will end the pandemic. The participants strongly expressed the desire for clear and uniform rules, for social cohesion and perseverance.
8. The confident
Those who are confident are “in the best sense of the word: home-style,” says the study. Most of them have their own home, and families play a big role for them. Their attitude is shaped by the motto: try instead of wait. They are helpful, charismatic and contact persons for their immediate environment.
Overall, those who were confident were doing well during the pandemic. They weren’t very worried about contracting the coronavirus themselves and pragmatically supported the containment measures. If worries arose, it was mainly about other people in the family or close environment. The pandemic has exposed the view of the essentials in life for the confident and stimulated thought.
Sources used: Study “Corona Lifestyle”, diakonie.de, mi-di.de