IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v19y2022i11p6369-d822652.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Fear of COVID-19: Gender Differences among Italian Health Volunteers

Author

Listed:
  • Jessica Burrai

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Alessandro Quaglieri

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Umberto Aitella

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Clarissa Cricenti

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Ivan D’Alessio

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Alessandra Pizzo

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Giulia Lausi

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Anna Maria Giannini

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Emanuela Mari

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the fear of being infected was a major concern, resulting in both physical and psychological effects. Despite several studies on fear of COVID-19 in the general population, the effects on healthy volunteers who face COVID-19 on the frontlines have not yet been investigated. Methods: An online survey on specific psychological variables related to COVID-19 was administered to 720 healthy volunteers, and gender differences were investigated. Results: The primary finding was that females showed higher scores in all dimensions assessed. A multiple linear regression conducted on both genders exhibited a similar pattern of predictors, highlighting the pivotal role of negative affect in the male group. Conclusions: The findings suggest that COVID-19 had significant effects on healthy volunteers, especially in the female group. Although the previous literature did not report the crucial role played by the negative affect in the male sample, these results highlight the need to deepen how both genders use different emotional strategies to cope with stressful situations. This study may be useful in the development of specific psychological support and ad hoc training for healthy volunteers.

Suggested Citation

  • Jessica Burrai & Alessandro Quaglieri & Umberto Aitella & Clarissa Cricenti & Ivan D’Alessio & Alessandra Pizzo & Giulia Lausi & Anna Maria Giannini & Emanuela Mari, 2022. "The Fear of COVID-19: Gender Differences among Italian Health Volunteers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-18, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:11:p:6369-:d:822652
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/11/6369/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/11/6369/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pierluigi Cordellieri & Benedetta Barchielli & Valeria Masci & Francesca Viani & Ivan de Pinto & Andrea Priori & Felice Damiano Torriccelli & Chiara Cosmo & Stefano Ferracuti & Anna Maria Giannini & J, 2021. "Psychological Health Status of Psychiatric Patients Living in Treatment Communities before and during the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Brief Report," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-9, March.
    2. Giuseppe Forte & Francesca Favieri & Renata Tambelli & Maria Casagrande, 2020. "COVID-19 Pandemic in the Italian Population: Validation of a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Questionnaire and Prevalence of PTSD Symptomatology," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-14, June.
    3. Senjooti Roy & Liat Ayalon & Deborah S Carr, 2021. "“Goodness and Kindness”: Long-Distance Caregiving Through Volunteers During the COVID-19 Lockdown in India," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 76(7), pages 281-289.
    4. Nicholas Tze Ping Pang & Gracyvinea Nold Imon & Elisa Johoniki & Mohd Amiruddin Mohd Kassim & Azizan Omar & Syed Sharizman Syed Abdul Rahim & Firdaus Hayati & Mohammad Saffree Jeffree & Jun Rong Ng, 2021. "Fear of COVID-19 and COVID-19 Stress and Association with Sociodemographic and Psychological Process Factors in Cases under Surveillance in a Frontline Worker Population in Borneo," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-18, July.
    5. Jessica Burrai & Benedetta Barchielli & Clarissa Cricenti & Anna Borrelli & Sabina D’Amato & Massimo Santoro & Margherita Vitale & Stefano Ferracuti & Anna Maria Giannini & Alessandro Quaglieri, 2021. "Older Adolescents Who Did or Did Not Experience COVID-19 Symptoms: Associations with Mental Health, Risk Perception and Social Connection," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-12, May.
    6. Rita Roncone & Laura Giusti & Silvia Mammarella & Anna Salza & Valeria Bianchini & Annalina Lombardi & Massimo Prosperococco & Elio Ursini & Valentina Scaletta & Massimo Casacchia, 2021. "“Hang in There!”: Mental Health in a Sample of the Italian Civil Protection Volunteers during the COVID-19 Health Emergency," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-19, August.
    7. Emanuela Mari & Giulia Lausi & Angelo Fraschetti & Alessandra Pizzo & Michela Baldi & Alessandro Quaglieri & Jessica Burrai & Benedetta Barchielli & Francesco Avallone & Anna Maria Giannini, 2021. "Teaching during the Pandemic: A Comparison in Psychological Wellbeing among Smart Working Professions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-13, April.
    8. Monia Vagni & Tiziana Maiorano & Valeria Giostra & Daniela Pajardi, 2020. "Hardiness, Stress and Secondary Trauma in Italian Healthcare and Emergency Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-16, July.
    9. Tiziana Maiorano & Monia Vagni & Valeria Giostra & Daniela Pajardi, 2020. "COVID-19: Risk Factors and Protective Role of Resilience and Coping Strategies for Emergency Stress and Secondary Trauma in Medical Staff and Emergency Workers—An Online-Based Inquiry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-18, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Agnieszka Lasota, 2023. "Crisis Experience and Purpose in Life in Men and Women: The Mediating Effect of Gratitude and Fear of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(15), pages 1-14, August.
    2. Benedetta Barchielli & Clarissa Cricenti & Francesca Gallè & Elita Anna Sabella & Fabrizio Liguori & Giovanna Da Molin & Giorgio Liguori & Giovanni Battista Orsi & Anna Maria Giannini & Stefano Ferrac, 2022. "Climate Changes, Natural Resources Depletion, COVID-19 Pandemic, and Russian-Ukrainian War: What Is the Impact on Habits Change and Mental Health?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-18, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Samuele Baldassini Rodriguez & Yari Bardacci & Khadija El Aoufy & Marco Bazzini & Christian Caruso & Gian Domenico Giusti & Andrea Mezzetti & Stefano Bambi & Andrea Guazzini & Laura Rasero, 2022. "Promoting and Risk Factors of Nurses’ Hardiness Levels during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from an Italian Cohort," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-22, January.
    2. Haobin Fan & Xuanyi Nie, 2020. "Impacts of Layoffs and Government Assistance on Mental Health during COVID-19: An Evidence-Based Study of the United States," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-23, September.
    3. Nurfarahin Musa & Nicholas Tze Ping Pang & Assis Kamu & Chong Mun Ho & Cerith Waters & Jennifer Berrett & Nima Moghaddam & Walton Wider, 2022. "The Development and Validation of the Comprehensive Assessment of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Processes (CompACT)—Malay Version," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-10, August.
    4. Ewa Małgorzata Szepietowska & Ewa Zawadzka & Sara Filipiak, 2022. "Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the Sense of Gains and Losses during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An International Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-19, March.
    5. Natalie L. Edelman & T. Charles Witzel & Phil Samba & Will Nutland & Tom Nadarzynski, 2022. "Mental Well-Being and Sexual Intimacy among Men and Gender Diverse People Who Have Sex with Men during the First UK COVID-19 Lockdown: A Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-13, June.
    6. Stefania Scuri & Marina Tesauro & Fabio Petrelli & Ninfa Argento & Genny Damasco & Giovanni Cangelosi & Cuc Thi Thu Nguyen & Demetris Savva & Iolanda Grappasonni, 2022. "Use of an Online Platform to Evaluate the Impact of Social Distancing Measures on Psycho-Physical Well-Being in the COVID-19 Era," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-10, June.
    7. Lorenzo Bruno Prataviera & Alessandro Creazza & Marco Melacini & Fabrizio Dallari, 2022. "Heading for Tomorrow: Resilience Strategies for Post-COVID-19 Grocery Supply Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-17, February.
    8. Paola Manfredi, 2022. "Is This All COVID-19′s Fault? A Study on Trainees in One of the Most Affected Italian Cities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-18, October.
    9. Martin Sanchez-Gomez & Gabriele Giorgi & Georgia Libera Finstad & Flavio Urbini & Giulia Foti & Nicola Mucci & Salvatore Zaffina & José M. León-Perez, 2021. "COVID-19 Pandemic as a Traumatic Event and Its Associations with Fear and Mental Health: A Cognitive-Activation Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-14, July.
    10. Clara De Vincenzi & Martina Pansini & Bruna Ferrara & Ilaria Buonomo & Paula Benevene, 2022. "Consequences of COVID-19 on Employees in Remote Working: Challenges, Risks and Opportunities An Evidence-Based Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-18, September.
    11. Georgia Libera Finstad & Gabriele Giorgi & Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli & Caterina Pandolfi & Giulia Foti & José M. León-Perez & Francisco J. Cantero-Sánchez & Nicola Mucci, 2021. "Resilience, Coping Strategies and Posttraumatic Growth in the Workplace Following COVID-19: A Narrative Review on the Positive Aspects of Trauma," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-25, September.
    12. Adrián Zancajo & Antoni Verger & Pedro Bolea, 2022. "Digitalization and beyond: the effects of Covid-19 on post-pandemic educational policy and delivery in Europe [How did the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic affect teacher wellbeing?]," Policy and Society, Darryl S. Jarvis and M. Ramesh, vol. 41(1), pages 111-128.
    13. Valentina Fietta & Francesca Bertoldo & Lorenzo Gasperi & Cristina Mazza & Paolo Roma & Merylin Monaro, 2023. "The Role of Work Engagement in Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic among Mental Healthcare Workers: An Italian Study to Improve Work Sustainability during Emergency Situations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-16, February.
    14. Jacques Bughin & Michele Cincera & Dorota Reykowska & Marcin Zyszkiewicz & Rafal Ohme, 2020. "The Great Employee Divide: Clustering Employee « Well-being » Challenge during Covid-19," Working Papers TIMES² 2020-41, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    15. Antonia Sorge & Letizia De Luca & Giancarlo Tamanza & Emanuela Saita, 2021. "Ward Staff as a Tool to Promote Wellbeing among Prison Employees," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-27, September.
    16. Alessandra Macciotta & Domenica Farinella & Giuseppina Dell’Aversana & Marco Fornili & Davide Petri & Laura Baglietto & Michela Baccini & Carmen Berrocal Montiel & Giuseppe Fiorentino & Gianluca Sever, 2022. "Remote Working and Home Learning: How the Italian Academic Population Dealt with Changes Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-21, July.
    17. Munir Ahmad & Nadeem Akhtar & Gul Jabeen & Muhammad Irfan & Muhammad Khalid Anser & Haitao Wu & Cem Işık, 2021. "Intention-Based Critical Factors Affecting Willingness to Adopt Novel Coronavirus Prevention in Pakistan: Implications for Future Pandemics," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-28, June.
    18. Nicholas Tze Ping Pang & Sandi James & Nelbon Giloi & Syed Sharizman Syed Abdul Rahim & Azizan Omar & Mohammad Saffree Jeffree & Firdaus Hayati & Mei Ching Lim & Mohd Amiruddin Mohd Kassim & Jun Rong , 2021. "Relationships between Psychopathology, Psychological Process Variables, and Sociodemographic Variables and Comparison of Quarantined and Non-Quarantined Groups of Malaysian University Students in the ," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-18, September.
    19. Jan Domaradzki, 2022. "‘Who Else If Not We’. Medical Students’ Perception and Experiences with Volunteering during the COVID-19 Crisis in Poznan, Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-20, February.
    20. Monia Vagni & Valeria Giostra & Tiziana Maiorano & Giuliano Santaniello & Daniela Pajardi, 2020. "Personal Accomplishment and Hardiness in Reducing Emergency Stress and Burnout among COVID-19 Emergency Workers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-18, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:11:p:6369-:d:822652. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.