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

Sarah J Barber, Hyunji Kim and Derek Isaacowitz

The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 2021, vol. 76, issue 2, e17-e23

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.

Keywords: Aging; COVID-19; Emotion; Sex differences (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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The Journals of Gerontology: Series B is currently edited by Psychological Sciences - S. Duke Han, PhD and Social Sciences - Jessica A Kelley, PhD, FGSA

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