Authors

• Statistics Finland
• Prime Minister's Office

Keywords

COVID-19, bacterial and virus diseases, communications, dissemination of information, emotional states, health, income, international conflict, regulations, trust, vaccination, voluntary work, war, well-being (health)

Abstract

The Citizens' Pulse surveys examine Finnish attitudes and opinions in the context of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Main themes in the surveys include the activity and communication of authorities, compliance with regulations, future expectations, trust, and the respondents' own state of mind. This collection round also included questions about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and response to crisis situations.

The third collection round of 2022 surveyed the respondents' trust in other people and in various institutions, such as the Finnish Government, the health care system, and the media. The respondents' state of mind was examined with questions on various matters relating to health, well-being, and their situation in life. The questions covered, for example, the respondents' own mental well-being, whether they were worried about the adequacy of their income, their confidence in their future, experiences of stress and togetherness, and whether they felt their lives were meaningful. Additionally, the respondents were asked to evaluate whether an atmosphere of crisis prevailed amongst Finns.

The next set of questions focused on the crisis in Ukraine and crisis situations in general. In relation to the Ukraine crisis, the respondents were, for example, asked about their sense of security, worries caused by the crisis and its possible impact on the Finnish economy and their own financial situation, whether they were concerned that the war might expand beyond Ukraine, and whether they approved of the economic sanctions imposed on Russia by the EU. Views on crisis situations, such as COVID-19 and climate change, were charted with questions on whether the respondents felt that they had prepared for crisis situations adequately (e.g. by stockpiling food and medicine) and whether they would be willing to help others in crisis situations (e.g. by making donations to non-profit organisations, offering accommodation to people fleeing crisis zones, collecting supplies). The respondents were also asked whether they would volunteer during a crisis on their own initiative or if requested to do so by authorities or non-profit organisations. Those who indicated that they would not volunteer were asked to identify their reasons for not volunteering (e.g. want to take care of their own family, too old to take part, authorities should be responsible for providing assistance).

On the topics of communication and dissemination of information, the respondents' opinions on the availability, reliability and accuracy of the information provided by Finnish authorities on the coronavirus crisis were charted. Compliance with coronavirus restrictions was examined by asking the respondents whether they had followed the restrictions and recommendations set by authorities for preventing transmission of the virus, including maintaining safe distances, wearing a face mask, and minimising contacts with people outside immediate family and friends. The respondents were also asked how necessary they felt that it was to follow measures such as wearing a mask and maintaining safe distances after receiving two or three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and whether they would be willing to receive a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if authorities recommended it.

Background variables included the respondent's gender, age group, NUTS3 region of residence, highest level of education, household composition, and perceived financial situation of household.