Differences between College Males and Females’ Coping Mechanisms in Relation to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This study’s purpose is to examine the differences between how men and women use cognitive coping mechanisms in stressful situations, specifically the COVID-19 pandemic. Research suggests that men and women cope with stress differently. Women tend to have a more emotional response to stressors and are expected to spend more time discussing issues with family and friends. Men are socialized for problem-focused coping. Only using problem-focused coping can be problematic when the cause of the stress cannot be changed by the individual. A secondary goal of this study was to evaluate other factors that affected cognitive coping, such as knowing someone who died of COVID-19. Participants ages 18–24 were invited to take part in an online survey evaluating cognitive coping mechanisms. After analysis, we found that in many ways men and women cognitively coped similarly. More often, women use a wider range of coping strategies except for self-blame and other blame. The participants used the coping mechanisms at significantly higher levels than adults during pre-pandemic times. Knowing someone who died of COVID-19 correlated with statistically significantly higher usage of several coping mechanisms. Understanding young adults’ cognitive coping during high-stress scenarios can uncover solutions to improved mental health care.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no competing interests to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University of Tennessee Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships under Grant Summer Undergraduate Research Internship Program, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing under Undergraduate Research Grant.