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Gender Differences in the COVID-19 Pandemic Risk Perception, Psychology, and Behaviors of Spanish University Students

Author

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  • Stephanie Rodriguez-Besteiro

    (Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Tajo Street, s/n, 28670 Madrid, Spain)

  • José Francisco Tornero-Aguilera

    (Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Tajo Street, s/n, 28670 Madrid, Spain
    Studies Centre in Applied Combat (CESCA), 45007 Toledo, Spain)

  • Jesús Fernández-Lucas

    (Applied Biotechnology Group, European University of Madrid, c/ Tajo s/n, Villaviciosa de Odón, 28670 Madrid, Spain
    Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, GICNEX, Universidad de la Costa, CUC, 080002 Barranquilla, Colombia)

  • Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez

    (Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Tajo Street, s/n, 28670 Madrid, Spain
    Studies Centre in Applied Combat (CESCA), 45007 Toledo, Spain
    Grupo de Investigación en Cultura, Educación y Sociedad, Universidad de la Costa, 080002 Barranquilla, Colombia)

Abstract

The actual COVID-19 pandemic scenario has generated a context of uncertainty, helplessness, and inequality. Yet, the perception of COVID-19 risk has influenced nutritional, psychological, and physical activity patterns depending on gender. We conducted the present research with the aim of studying gender differences of university students in the perceived risk of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in psychological, nutritional, oral health, and physical activity habits. To reach the study’s aim, 300 volunteer university students completed an online questionnaire which analyzed variables of perceived risk of the COVID-19 pandemic, psychological profiles, and nutritional, oral health, and physical activity habits. Results showed that females presented a higher perception of danger to the COVID-19 virus than males but showed no differences in how the pandemic has affected personal lives. Females showed higher values of anxiety, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience, while males presented higher values of extraversion. Nutritionally, males presented greater consumption of soft drinks, meat, and pasta or rice, and lower buccal hygiene. Yet, no differences were found regarding physical activity patterns. Results from the present study could be used by various educational institutions to implement multidisciplinary interventions to reduce the stress and risk perception.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephanie Rodriguez-Besteiro & José Francisco Tornero-Aguilera & Jesús Fernández-Lucas & Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez, 2021. "Gender Differences in the COVID-19 Pandemic Risk Perception, Psychology, and Behaviors of Spanish University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-9, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:8:p:3908-:d:532241
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vincenzo Galasso & Vincent Pons & Paola Profeta & Michael Becher & Sylvain Brouard & Martial Foucault, 2020. "Gender Differences in COVID-19 Related Attitudes and Behavior: Evidence from a Panel Survey in Eight OECD Countries," SciencePo Working papers Main hal-03594437, HAL.
    2. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/30j8b527qi94hpffbv52bsav72 is not listed on IDEAS
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    Cited by:

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    2. Sadiqa, Bibi Aisha, 2023. "Overcoming Vaccine Skepticism in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study of Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors towards COVID-19 Vaccination," MPRA Paper 116204, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 25 Jan 2023.
    3. Elena Korneeva & Wadim Strielkowski & Raisa Krayneva & Anna Sherstobitova, 2022. "Social Health and Psychological Safety of Students Involved in Online Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-15, October.
    4. Ana Ramírez-Adrados & Valentín E. Fernández-Elías & Silvia Fernández-Martínez & Beatriz Martínez-Pascual & Cristina Gonzalez-de-Ramos & Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez, 2022. "The Effect of Studying a Double Degree in the Psychophysiological Stress Response in the Bachelor’s Thesis Defense," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-11, January.
    5. María Carreira-Míguez & Eduardo Navarro-Jiménez & Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez, 2022. "Behavioral Patterns of Depression Patients and Control Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-13, August.
    6. Ling Pan & Jun Li & Ziao Hu & Henan Wu, 2022. "The Effect of COVID-19 Perceived Risk on Internet Addiction among College Students in China: An Empirical Study Based on the Structural Equation Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-15, October.
    7. Yi Ding & Jie Yang & Tingting Ji & Yongyu Guo, 2021. "Women Suffered More Emotional and Life Distress than Men during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Pathogen Disgust Sensitivity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-9, August.
    8. Stephanie Rodriguez-Besteiro & Ana Isabel Beltran-Velasco & José Francisco Tornero-Aguilera & Marina Begoña Martínez-González & Eduardo Navarro-Jiménez & Rodrigo Yáñez-Sepúlveda & Vicente Javier Cleme, 2023. "Social Media, Anxiety and COVID-19 Lockdown Measurement Compliance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-13, March.
    9. Michele Borgia & Eugenia Nissi & Maura La Torre & Guido Ortolani, 2022. "The Relationship between Demographics and Knowledge Risk Perception of High School Teachers: Training as a Mediator," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-13, December.
    10. Simone Nomie-Sato & Emilia Condes Moreno & Adriana Rico Villanueva & Pascual Chiarella & Jose Francisco Tornero-Aguilera & Ana Isabel Beltrán-Velasco & Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez, 2022. "Gender Differences of University Students in the Online Teaching Quality and Psychological Profile during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-10, November.
    11. Samantha Garcia & Suellen Hopfer & Elouise Botes & Samuel Greiff, 2022. "Associations between Coronavirus Crisis Perception, Perceived Economic Risk of Coronavirus, General Self-Efficacy, and Coronavirus Anxiety at the Start of the Pandemic: Differences by Gender and Race," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-15, March.
    12. Xu, Cheng & Li, KunJing & Li, Chang-Jun & Xu, Hao & Sun, Yanqi, 2024. "Covid-19 pandemic, social normative compliance, and sustainable consumption: Evidence from experiments," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 351(C).

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