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Crisis Experience and Purpose in Life in Men and Women: The Mediating Effect of Gratitude and Fear of COVID-19

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  • Agnieszka Lasota

    (Institute of Psychology, Pedagogical University of Krakow, 30-084 Krakow, Poland)

Abstract

Aim: This study investigated whether gratitude and fear of COVID-19 mediated the relationship between crisis experience during the pandemic and purpose in life in men and women. Methods: Six hundred and five participants aged between 18 and 60 years (M = 25.6; SD = 8.39) completed the Gratitude, Resentment, and Appreciation Scale—Short Form (GRAT-S), Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and Purpose in Life Test (PIL). In addition, the respondents were questioned about life crises during the previous six months (e.g., the death of a loved one or illness). Results: Men and women differed in their endorsement of gratitude or fear of COVID-19 as a mediator. Women’s experiences of the crisis related both directly and indirectly to purpose in life, with gratitude and fear of COVID-19 mediating this relationship. In men, only the indirect path, from crisis experience, through gratitude, to purpose in life, turned out to be significant. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that coping styles differ in men and women and, as a consequence, that crisis interventions need to take gender into account.

Suggested Citation

  • Agnieszka Lasota, 2023. "Crisis Experience and Purpose in Life in Men and Women: The Mediating Effect of Gratitude and Fear of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(15), pages 1-14, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:15:p:6490-:d:1208142
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Jessica Burrai & Alessandro Quaglieri & Umberto Aitella & Clarissa Cricenti & Ivan D’Alessio & Alessandra Pizzo & Giulia Lausi & Anna Maria Giannini & Emanuela Mari, 2022. "The Fear of COVID-19: Gender Differences among Italian Health Volunteers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-18, May.
    3. Selçuk Özdin & Şükriye Bayrak Özdin, 2020. "Levels and predictors of anxiety, depression and health anxiety during COVID-19 pandemic in Turkish society: The importance of gender," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(5), pages 504-511, August.
    4. Elena Gabriela Nicuță & Ticu Constantin, 2021. "Take Nothing for Granted: Downward Social Comparison and Counterfactual Thinking Increase Adolescents’ State Gratitude for the Little Things in Life," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(8), pages 3543-3570, December.
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