Gender Differences in Anxiety Levels Following Covid-19 Isolation

Abstract:

Since the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020, there has been a dramatic change in how society has functioned due to strict isolation regulations. These regulations forced many individuals to shift from in-person to online in order to continue their lives. This drastic shift during Covid regulated isolation was found to be correlated with negative mental health impacts such as anxiety. The meta-analysis of Chang et al, found that 52% of participating US college students exhibited anxiety. Furthermore, female students exhibited a higher prevalence of anxiety symptoms as compared to male students. Researchers also noted that college students may be particularly vulnerable to mental health problems during the pandemic due to the experience of tremendous disruption in their lives (Oh et al., 2021). With the end of social isolation in sight, students were allowed to return to in-person classes. Once again creating a drastic shift in social demands for students. While many students are struggling, others are flourishing during this time. For that reason, this study is intended to discover what coping strategies are related to lower levels of anxiety. As well as to assess if gender differences are predictors of anxiety, and which gender is affected worse. We predict that female students will have higher anxiety levels. A survey/questionnaire will be administered via the Penn State Behrend Research Pool. Anxiety levels and post-social isolation between genders will be compared as well as identifying the coping strategies students use to decrease high levels of anxiety. This study will hopefully be used by the counseling staff as well as the residence life staff and should help to provide extra assistance and awareness to students regarding gender differences in anxiety levels and provide clinicians with essential data on coping strategies which are the most effective.