Conflict Resolution under the COVID-19 Pandemic

This paper analyzes whether the COVID-19 pandemic affected individual’s chosen method to resolve conflict. Applying a difference-in-difference approach by sex, we use a representative panel of adults living in 82 cities from across Mexico to measure changes in antisocial strategies (violence) and prosocial strategies (non-confrontational methods and dialogue) to resolve disputes. During the COVID- 19 pandemic, men reduced their use of violence by 19.6% and women by 17.4%. There was a parallel rise in non-confrontation strategies used to solve conflict equal to 73.6% for men and 62% for women. The use of dialogue as a tool for resolving disputes increased by more in cities that banned the sale of alcohol. Alternative Twitter data corroborates the main findings, suggesting that individuals are becoming more prosocial during the pandemic.