Social Security and the COVID-19 Crisis: A Dichotomy of Perceptions among Urban Residents in Poland

Abstract

The aim of the research was to subjectively assess the situation of Polish urban households and their sense of social security during the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, primary household surveys were designed and subsequently carried out in Poland in April, June and September 2020 using the CAWI method. An assessment of household security was made, presenting households' subjective feelings about the loss of financial stability, loss of employment, and the overall deterioration of their situation. Responses also addressed a potential worsening in the situation in Poland, growing poverty of families, and rising unemployment in the country. One of the most important conclusions from the research is that there is a dichotomy of feelings among respondents whereby they view the situation of their households as better than that of the country as a whole. Furthermore, between the first and the second stages of the research, there was an increase in optimism among respondents, persisting into the third stage. Finally, the research results show that the smaller the city, the lower the sense of social security.