Gender differences in stress, resilience, and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate gender differences in physical activity (PA), stress and resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants: Students (n = 300) at a southeastern US university. Methods: Perceived Stress (PSS), Resiliency (BRS), Life Events (LEI), and PA were recorded via online survey in Summer 2020. PSS, BRS, LEI, and PA were compared between males and females. Two-way ANOVAs examined gender and frequency effects on PSS and BRS. Results: Females had lower BRS and higher PSS and LEI scores than males (all p < .001). PSS/BRS scores were more strongly correlated with PA in males. Significant gender × frequency interactions were found for PSS (vigorous, p = .03) and for BRS (moderate, p = .049). There was a significant main effect of frequency for PSS with strength training (p < .001). Conclusions: Results suggest that interventions may be particularly needed for females and those with low PA levels.

Keywords:

• Coronavirus
• exercise frequency
• mental health
• university

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United Statesand received approval from the Institutional Review Board of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.