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COVID-19 Worries and Behavior Changes in Older and Younger Men and Women

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  • Sarah J Barber
  • Hyunji Kim
  • Derek Isaacowitz

Abstract

ObjectivesThe case fatality rate of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is higher among older adults than younger adults and is also higher among men than women. However, worry, which is a key motivator of behavioral health changes, occurs less frequently for older than younger adults, and less frequently for men than women. Building on this, we tested whether older adults–and particularly older men—would report the least amount of COVID-19 worry and also fewer COVID-19 behavior changes.MethodFrom March 23–31, 2020, we administered an online questionnaire assessing COVID-19 perceptions, worries, and behavior changes. Participants were a convenience sample of U.S. residents, who were community-dwelling younger adults (18–35) or older adults (65–81). Analyses included 146 younger adults (68 men, 78 women) and 156 older adults (82 men, 74 women). Participants were predominately white, living in suburban/urban areas, and had completed some college.ResultsDuring the early phase of the outbreak in the United States, older adults perceived the risks of COVID-19 to be higher than did younger adults. Despite this, older men were comparatively less worried about COVID-19 than their younger counterparts. Compared with the other participants, older men had also implemented the fewest behavior changes.DiscussionInterventions are needed to increase COVID-19 behavior changes in older men. These results also highlight the importance of understanding emotional responses to COVID-19, as these are predictive of their behavioral responses.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah J Barber & Hyunji Kim & Derek Isaacowitz, 2021. "COVID-19 Worries and Behavior Changes in Older and Younger Men and Women," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 76(2), pages 17-23.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:76:y:2021:i:2:p:e17-e23.
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Paul T E Cusack, 2020. "Anxiety Disorders," Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, Biomedical Research Network+, LLC, vol. 31(3), pages 24255-24260, October.
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    2. Dooley, Samuel & Turjeman, Dana & Dickerson, John P & Redmiles, Elissa M., 2021. "Field Evidence of the Effects of Pro-sociality and Transparency on COVID-19 App Attractiveness," SocArXiv gm6js, Center for Open Science.
    3. Kyungmi Kim & Hyesun Jeong & Jongeun Lee, 2022. "COVID-19 Related Fear, Risk Perceptions, and Behavioral Changes According to Level of Depression among Nursing Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-11, April.
    4. 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.
    5. Sina Kathrin Gerhards & Alexander Pabst & Susanne Röhr & Melanie Luppa & Steffi G. Riedel-Heller, 2022. "Coping with stress during the COVID-19 pandemic in the oldest-old population," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 19(4), pages 1385-1394, December.
    6. Mehdizadeh, Milad & Nordfjaern, Trond & Klöckner, Christian A., 2023. "Estimating financial compensation and minimum guaranteed charge for vehicle-to-grid technology," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    7. 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.

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