Exploring the impact of gender on challenges and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy
ISSN: 0144-333X
Article publication date: 30 November 2021
Issue publication date: 23 September 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Repercussions to everyday life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted certain segments of the population, including older adults, communities of color and women. The societal response to reduce the impact of the pandemic, including closing schools and working from home, has been experienced differentially by women. This study explored how individual challenges and coping mechanisms differed for women as compared to men.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used an anonymous, cross-sectional, online survey early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Convenience, snowball and purposive sampling methods were used. Data were collected in June 2020 targeting adults living in Canada and the USA, with a total of 1,405 people responding, of which, the respondents were primarily women, White and with high education levels.
Findings
The results of this study confirm previous research that women struggled more to adapt to the pandemic and felt less prepared than men during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, this study found significant differences in the sources of information and support used by women as compared to men.
Originality/value
The findings of this study not only confirm past research but also highlight that practice and policy responses to this pandemic, and future research on national level crises need to be targeted by gender, so that different needs are effectively addressed. Additionally, this article also identifies sources or challenges, as well as support, in order to inform and strengthen such responses.
Keywords
Citation
Krase, K., Luzuriaga, L., Wang, D., Schoolnik, A., Parris-Strigle, C., Attis, L. and Brown, P. (2022), "Exploring the impact of gender on challenges and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 42 No. 11-12, pp. 1001-1012. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-08-2021-0202
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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