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Sex Differences between Medical Students in the Assessment of the Fear of COVID-19

Author

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  • Maria del Carmen Trapp

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA)

  • Brandt J. Wiskur

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
    Academic Affairs and Faculty Development, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA)

  • Joy H. Suh

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA)

  • Michael W. Brand

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA)

  • Katrin G. Kuhn

    (Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA)

  • Julio Rojas

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA)

Abstract

Background: Differing expressions of the fear of COVID-19 between men and women can potentially increase both immediate and long-term physical health risks. We predicted that women students would express greater fear of COVID-19. Methods: We used an Internet-delivered Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) to assess fear among men ( n = 100) and women ( n = 272) from a larger population of academic medical center members ( n = 1761). Sex differences in emotional and physical symptoms were assessed as subcategories within fear scores. Results: Women reported greater fear of COVID-19 than men ( p < 0.001). Women reported greater emotional fear ( p < 0.001) on specific scale items (thinking of COVID-19, watching news stories about COVID-19, and losing sleep due to fear of contracting COVID-19). Discussion/Conclusions: These results provide a better understanding of how fear of COVID-19 can differ based on sex and how that fear may be expressed differently through emotional and physical symptoms. This information will inform academic health centers of COVID-19 prevention and management policies that may include a gender-specific focus.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria del Carmen Trapp & Brandt J. Wiskur & Joy H. Suh & Michael W. Brand & Katrin G. Kuhn & Julio Rojas, 2022. "Sex Differences between Medical Students in the Assessment of the Fear of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-7, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:6:p:3372-:d:770080
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Takanao Tanaka & Shohei Okamoto, 2021. "Increase in suicide following an initial decline during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 5(2), pages 229-238, February.
    2. Chaturvedi, Kunal & Vishwakarma, Dinesh Kumar & Singh, Nidhi, 2021. "COVID-19 and its impact on education, social life and mental health of students: A survey," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Fan Wu & Yang-Cheng Lin & Peng Lu, 2022. "Research on the Design Strategy of Healing Products for Anxious Users during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-20, May.

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