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Gender Differences in Fear and Risk Perception During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Abdelaziz Alsharawy1, Ross Spoon1, Alec Smith1,2
1Department of Economics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States.
Frontiers in Psychology
|August 23, 2021
Summary
Women reported higher fear of COVID-19 and negative health expectations than men, despite men facing greater health risks. Women were more optimistic about financial outcomes and took more preventative measures, influenced by fear.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread emotional distress.
- Previous research indicates women may experience and express emotions, like fear, more intensely than men.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gender differences in emotional responses, risk perceptions, and preventative behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To explore how fear of COVID-19 influences health and financial risk perceptions and behaviors.
Main Methods:
- An online survey was administered to participants in the United States.
- The survey measured fear of COVID-19, perceived health and financial risks, and adopted preventative measures.
- Statistical analyses were used to compare responses between genders.
Main Results:
- Women reported greater fear of COVID-19 and more negative health expectations than men, despite men facing higher health risks.
- Women exhibited more optimism regarding financial consequences and reported more negative general emotional experiences.
- Women adopted more preventative measures, but gender differences in behavior diminished when controlling for fear levels.
Conclusions:
- Emotional responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly fear, differ significantly by gender.
- Understanding these gender-based emotional differences is crucial for developing effective public health policies and interventions.
- Fear is a key mediator in the relationship between gender, risk perception, and preventative behaviors during health crises.
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