Gender differences in GPs’ strategies for coping with the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic in Catalonia: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

The Covid-19 pandemic has increased stress levels in GPs, who have resorted to different coping strategies to deal with this crisis. Gender differences in coping styles may be contributing factors in the development of psychological distress.

Objectives

To identify differences by gender and by stress level in coping strategies of GPs during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Methods

A cross-sectional, web-based survey conducted with GPs in Catalonia (Spain), in June–July 2021. via the institution’s email distribution list, all GPs members of the Catalan Society of Family and Community Medicine were invited to complete a survey assessing sociodemographic, health and work-related characteristics, experienced stress (Stress scale of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales-DASS 21) and the frequency of use of a range of coping strategies (Brief-COPE) classified as problem-focused, emotion-focused and avoidant strategies, some of which are adaptive and others maladaptive. We compared the scores of each strategy by gender and stress level using Student’s t-test.

Results

Of 4739 members, 522 GPs participated in the study (response rate 11%; 79.1% women; mean age = 46.9 years, SD = 10.5). Of these, 41.9% reported moderate-severe stress levels. The most common coping strategies were acceptance, active coping, planning, positive reframing and venting. More frequently than men, women resorted to emotional and instrumental support, venting, distraction and self-blame, whereas men used acceptance and humour more commonly than women. Moderate-severe stress levels were associated with non-adaptive coping, with increased use of avoidance strategies, self-blame, religion and venting, and decreased use of positive reframing and acceptance.

Conclusion

The most common coping strategies were adaptive and differed by gender. However, highly stressful situations caused maladaptive strategies to emerge.

Keywords:

• Coping strategies
• stress
• Covid-19 pandemic
• general practitioner (GP)
• gender differences

Acknowledgements

This study has been possible thanks to the generous collaboration of all primary care doctors that participated in the survey in hectic times. We are grateful to the Catalan Society of Family and Community Medicine (CAMFIC) and the Institute for Research in Primary Care (IDIAP Jordi Gol) for their initiative and support in carrying out this study. We are grateful to Anna Moleras, Joan Lozano, Claudia Cañigueral, and Alex Febrero for the support provided in managing the survey.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.