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Behavioral Changes in the Community Following COVID-19 Pandemics; A Conceptual Model Derived from a Grounded Theory Study in Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Research Center for Health Sciences, Institute of Health, Department of Health Promotion, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

2 Faculty of social sciences, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran

4 Department of Nursing, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 epidemic in Iran has imposed a heavy social, economic, political, and psychosocial burden and caused devastating social problems. On the other hand, it has also led to promising social cohesion. This study aimed to explore the community-wide changes following the COVID-19 pandemic and to understand how these changes may affect the Iranian community.
Methods: This qualitative study used the grounded theory approach and conducted from May 2020 to March 2021 at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Adopting a purposive sampling approach, 15 faculty members in different fields participated in this study, and 17 interviews were performed.
Results: This study indicated that the core phenomenon in the social change process was “struggling for survival and livelihood”. Therefore, people tried to identify and choose strategies to deal with or repel COVID-19 disease as a life-threatening situation. A set of contextual factors influenced their choice. The media and the performance of organizations as intervening conditions also played an important role in this process. Finally, this complex process led to constructive and destructive outcomes in society.
Conclusion: The COVID-19 epidemic caused various multifaceted social changes in the Iranian community. Some social consequences were constructive and contributed to community development, while others jeopardized community development goals. Therefore, the paradigm model developed in this study can help policymakers and social planners develop programs to promote community health.

Keywords

References
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Journal of Health Sciences & Surveillance System
Volume 11, 1 (Supplement)
January 2023
Pages 170-178
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