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Gender Differences on Psychosocial Factors Affecting COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors

Author

Listed:
  • Nicolás Bronfman

    (Engineering Sciences Department, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 7500973, Chile
    Research Center for Integrated Disaster Risk Management ANID/FONDAP/15110017, Santiago 7820436, Chile)

  • Paula Repetto

    (Research Center for Integrated Disaster Risk Management ANID/FONDAP/15110017, Santiago 7820436, Chile
    Department of Psychology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile)

  • Paola Cordón

    (Department of Psychology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile)

  • Javiera Castañeda

    (Department of Psychology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile)

  • Pamela Cisternas

    (Research Center for Integrated Disaster Risk Management ANID/FONDAP/15110017, Santiago 7820436, Chile
    Industrial and Systems Engineering Department, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile)

Abstract

Previous studies have reported differences between men and women in the adoption of preventive behaviors against infectious diseases. This study aims to examine gender differences on a set of psychosocial factors shown to influence preventive behaviors against infectious diseases such as COVID-19. We conducted a web survey ( N = 1.004) a few weeks after the end of the peak of the first wave of infections in Chile. The survey assessed participants’ perception of risk and worry about the COVID-19 pandemic, confidence in the government’s competence and integrity in dealing with the crisis, attribution of responsibility to various stakeholders, and adoption of preventive behaviors such as hygiene, distancing, and information-seeking. Our results confirm significant gender-based differences for both the psychosocial factors and the adoption of preventive behaviors. We conclude that women show a higher level of worry and fear of the pandemic and are keener to adopt preventive hygiene and social distancing behaviors. Similarly, participants report a low level of trust in government authorities, with women reporting the lowest trust level. The implications of these findings for the design of future risk communication strategies are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicolás Bronfman & Paula Repetto & Paola Cordón & Javiera Castañeda & Pamela Cisternas, 2021. "Gender Differences on Psychosocial Factors Affecting COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-12, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:6148-:d:565421
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    4. Mariusz Duplaga, 2022. "The Roles of Health and e-Health Literacy, Conspiracy Beliefs and Political Sympathy in the Adherence to Preventive Measures Recommended during the Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-13, July.
    5. Mónica Ferrín, 2022. "Reassessing Gender Differences in COVID‐19 Risk Perception and Behavior," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 103(1), pages 31-41, January.
    6. Bansal, Prateek & Kessels, Roselinde & Krueger, Rico & Graham, Daniel J., 2022. "Preferences for using the London Underground during the COVID-19 pandemic," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 45-60.
    7. Chunphen Upake & Sutham Nanthamongkolchai & Pimsurang Taechaboonsermsak & Korravarn Yodmai & Wanich Suksatan, 2022. "Factors Predicting the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Preventive Behaviors of Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study in Bangkok, Thailand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-10, August.
    8. Mohammad Khatib & Ivonne Mansbach-Kleinfeld & Doaa Zaid & Anneke Ifrah & Malik Yousef & Ahmad Sheikh Muhammad, 2023. "Compliance with COVID-19 Regulations among Palestinian Citizens of Israel in the Context of Social Norms and Gender Roles," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-21, July.
    9. Shu-Mei Liu & Shu-Fang Shih & Bo Meng & Rui Zhen & Xiao-Ben Pan & Eric Ng & Chia-Hsuan Hsu & Wei-Ta Fang, 2021. "Gendered Factors Associated with Preventive Behaviors and Mental Health among Chinese Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic Home Quarantine," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-19, September.
    10. Aarthi Raghavan & Mehmet Akif Demircioglu & Serik Orazgaliyev, 2021. "COVID-19 and the New Normal of Organizations and Employees: An Overview," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-19, October.

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