The framing of quarantine decisions in response to an anticipated pandemic in Singaporans and Western expatriates

• Main Authors: Tang, Xin Hui, Leong, Connie Si Min, Soh, Yee Yian, Tho, Kai Ying
• Other Authors: School of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Psychology
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/44826
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

In this paper, the willingness and differences in framing of quarantine decisions for people from individualistic and collectivistic cultures were examined. Self-reported data in the form of questionnaires were administered to Singaporeans (n = 78) and Western expatriates (n = 80) to assess their perceptions on quarantine issues. Western expatriates were hypothesized to be more willing to quarantine themselves and do so for the interests of the community while Singaporeans will do that for the interests of their family. Results mainly supported our hypothesis except that Western expatriates were found to frame quarantine decisions in both the interests of community and family. With these findings, authorities can look into the possibility of introducing voluntary quarantine in future pandemics, if any.