ABSTRACT
Although research recognizes the influence of charismatic leadership and rhetoric, their practice in differing contexts and the moderating role of narcissism is understudied. Using a mixed-methods approach, we explore the effects of crises on the way a narcissistic leader employs charismatic rhetoric, and the way charismatic leadership is viewed by followers as they select leaders during a national crisis. In Study 1, we investigate former President Donald Trump's response to threats to his social power during times of crisis. Content analysis of Trump's speeches revealed that he used less charismatic rhetoric overall and more self-focused rhetoric during crisis periods, an unexpected outcome given existing findings in the literature. In Study 2, we explore followers' responses to Trump's perceived charisma. Three matched waves of data examined responses about perceived charisma, importance placed on the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, and leader choice. Findings from Study 2 suggest that crisis influenced perceptions of charisma and voting behavior, with leader narcissism playing a moderating role. Overall, our findings have implications for understanding the role of crisis in charismatic rhetoric and how narcissism and leader charisma influence followers' voting behavior. © The Author(s) 2023.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To determine the costs and trends of telehealth utilization before and during the COVID-19 pandemic for patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Methods: We calculated the proportions of patients with CVD who used telehealth before (January 2019-February 2020) and during (March 2020-April 2021) the pandemic using MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters. We compared the trends of telehealth utilization among CVD patients by sex, age, claim type, payment plan, and rural/urban status. We calculated mean, SD, median, and IQR of total and average telehealth costs. Results: The results show that telehealth utilization spiked in March 2020 and further rapidly increased and peaked in April 2020. Telehealth utilization increased from 0.021% in March 2019 to 6.7% in March 2020 and from 0.024% in April 2019 to 39.8% in April 2020. After peaking in April 2020, telehealth utilization rapidly fell in May-June 2020 and then gradually decreased before rebounding in October-December 2020. It resumed the decline through April 2021 remained much higher than the prepandemic level. Telehealth utilization was higher during the pandemic for females than males;for younger age groups (aged 18-44 or 45-64) than older age group (aged 65+);for commercial claims than Medicare supplemental insurance;for capitated insurance plans than non-capitated insurance plans;and for patients in urban areas than rural areas. From March 2020-February 2021, the mean (SD) telehealth cost per visit was $115.7 (66) (median [IQR], $104.8 [$75.8-$139.4]), with patient out-of-pocket cost $25.5 (42.8) (median [IQR], $10 [$0-$30]), insurance cost $90.4 (71.0) (median [IQR], $83 [$45.3-$121.3]), and the mean (SD) number of telehealth utilizations per patient was 1.67 (1.8) (median [IQR], 1 [1-2]). Conclusions: Policymakers, health care practitioners, and insurance companies should be aware of trends and costs of telehealth utilization among patients with CVD. Our results show that telehealth would facilitate better management of CVD. Our results may inform future policies and practices to meet the increased demand for telehealth.
ABSTRACT
The 2020 U.S. presidential election provided an opportunity to study follower reactions to an incumbent leader (former President Trump) versus a challenger (Joe Biden) during a crisis. Results suggest that follower perceptions of character and charisma influence the likelihood of rejecting a candidate. Perceptions of the bright character trait honesty-humility positively influenced attributed charisma and negatively influenced leader rejection, while the dark triad traits negatively influenced charisma and positively influenced rejection. While traits were found to have indirect effects on rejection through charisma, character and charisma were important for the incumbent while charisma was more important for the challenger. COVID-19 crisis anxiety moderated the negative relationship between charisma and leader rejection for the incumbent – increasing the likelihood of rejection. Implications for research examining character and charisma during a crisis are discussed. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd