What is the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on violence and substance use in Greece? Considering the role of culture and gender

Abstract: The unprecedented situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide is characterized by social isolation, separation from loved ones and limited freedom. These events have been identified as adversely affecting the mental health of the population, who suffer mainly from depression, anxiety symptoms, anger and fear feelings as well as sleep problems. Based on general strain theory (Agnew, 1992) combined with the changing opportunities in crime (routine activity theories), the aim of the survey was to examine the impact of the negative mental health during the second wave of COVID-19 lockdown, in violent behavior and substance use of individuals residing or living in Greece. A secondary objective formulated based on gendered approach for which men are expected to act more violently than women and females are expected to have poorer mental health than males. An online survey was conducted and disseminated through Facebook groups. Approval of the informed consent was one of the criteria for participation in the study. The collected data included demographic characteristics, information about mental health, violent behavior, and substance use, like alcohol drinking and smoking cigarettes during the lockdown. The ANOVA shown that there is not any significant impact of poor mentality in aggressive behavior and substance use which could be explained by considering the Greek cultural context. The results of independent samples T-test indicated that male indeed act more violently than female, and that women report poorer mental health than men. This finding is consistent with the gender approach and could be further explored through feminist theories. The results of this research purposes to give more insight into this kindly new phenomenon and to present a perspective that may differ from other countries not only in the kind of measures adopted, but also in the perception of individuals that disclose the cultural variation.