Order Under Siege: Assessment of Anomie, Authoritarianism, and Psychological Distress in the Context of Political Crisis and Pandemic in Peru

Abstract

Peru offers a striking case of political instability. Between 2016 and 2021, the country experienced five presidencies, repeated institutional ruptures, and the severe impact of COVID-19. This setting turned social disorder into an everyday experience. The study explores how perceived anomie relates to psychological distress, considering support for strong leaders and right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) as linked processes. Data from 387 adults, collected in late 2020, were analyzed through a serial mediation model with 5,000 resamples. Findings indicate that higher anomie aligns with greater preference for strong leadership, which in turn aligns with stronger authoritarian attitudes. RWA shows a modest inverse relation with distress, producing a small indirect effect. At the same time, anomie maintains a positive and significant direct relation with distress, which reveals that authoritarian orientations soften emotional strain without removing it. These results reflect Peru’s political trajectory, marked by weak institutional trust and a history of authoritarian rule. In this context, authoritarian leanings can function as a psychological response to uncertainty. The study broadens research on ideological coping by situating it in a society facing political instability alongside a public health crisis, and highlights the need for mental health strategies that address the social roots of distress.