The pandemic body

The lived body during the Covid-19 pandemic

Dados Bibliográficos

ID5779440
AutoresJoana Rodrigues (0000-0002-3113-4664, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, autor correspondente), Jamila Rodrigues (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University), Kathryn Body (0000-0001-6133-976X, University of Bristol), Havi Carel (0000-0002-1260-2362, University of Bristol)
Ano2023
Volume49
Fascículo4
Páginas725-734
Data de publicação2023-08-24
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoMedical Humanities (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1468-215X • E-ISSN: 1473-4265
EditoraBMJ (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1136/medhum-2022-012495
PMID37620040
OpenAlexW4386134129
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas3
Referências citadas61

In this study, we conduct a detailed analysis of qualitative survey data focusing on adult populations in the UK, Japan and Mexico to address the following question: How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed people's lived experience of their bodies, other people's bodies and the world? We identify five themes: (i) fear and danger, (ii) bodily doubt and hypervigilance, (iii) risk and trust, (iv) adapting and enduring and (v) changes in perspective. We use two theoretical frameworks: first, Mary Douglas' anthropological work on purity, risk, danger and symbolism is applied to understand how social and cultural meanings attached to the body have changed during the pandemic. Second, we use the concept of bodily doubt developed by Havi Carel to interpret how people experience their bodies and other people's bodies differently during the pandemic. While we recognise the significant variation in people's embodied experience of the pandemic, our findings suggest there are commonalities that span different countries and cultures. Specifically, we look at responses to COVID-19 protective countermeasures such as national lockdowns and physical distancing which we suggest have reduced people's ability to put faith in their own bodies, trust other people and trust the political leadership. We conclude by proposing that the changes to our lived experience during the COVID-19 pandemic have prompted changes in perspective and a renewed focus on what people consider important in life from a social, moral, cultural and political point of view

Distancing · Pandemic · Social distance · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment