Newswise — Does anyone still recall the early phase of the Corona pandemic in 2020? A time when shops, restaurants, cinemas, and theatres were shuttered, and gatherings with friends and relatives were forbidden. School lessons had to be conducted at home within the confines of children's rooms, and the idea of traveling was simply out of the question.
Currently, it appears that most people have largely forgotten those times. However, it is essential to recognize that the various COVID-19 measures implemented by policymakers likely resulted in significant stress for many individuals. The fear of losing jobs, concern for sick relatives, and the mental strain experienced when parents and children were confined together in tight spaces, juggling remote work and homeschooling, have had profound effects. This is evident from numerous studies conducted on the matter.
The crucial factor is anxiety
A research team from the University and the University Hospital Würzburg conducted an investigation on how the experiences during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted the mental health and overall quality of life for both women and men. The study delved into the connections between workplace concerns, worries about others, and their effects on individuals' mental health, including anxiety and depression. Additionally, the researchers explored how support from friends and colleagues at work played a role in influencing these outcomes. The study aimed to identify potential differences between men and women regarding the observed effects.
The results of the study are unequivocal: anxiety plays a pivotal role in the intricate interplay of various variables and influencing factors. Nonetheless, there are noticeable gender-specific distinctions. For men, anxiety levels rise in conjunction with job-related concerns, whereas this pattern does not appear in women. Conversely, women experience an escalation in anxiety levels as their worries about family and friends increase.
Moreover, the research demonstrates that women respond positively to support from friends and family during such challenging times, leading to an improvement in their overall quality of life. Conversely, this phenomenon did not manifest itself in men.
Data on the influence of gender were lacking
The study was led by Professor Grit Hein, who holds the position of Professor of Translational Social Neuroscience at the Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy at the University Hospital. Assisting her in leading the study was her postdoctoral researcher, Martin Weiß. The research findings have been recently published in the journal Scientific Reports.
Grit Hein, while explaining the study's background, mentioned that in the past, many research studies have explored the impact of psychosocial factors, such as support from friends and colleagues, as well as financial, professional, or personal worries on mental health and overall quality of life. However, what remained unclear was whether these correlations held true to the same extent for both men and women. To address this gap, the research team from Würzburg undertook a comprehensive investigation to broaden the scope of earlier studies and examine how these factors influence mental health and quality of life in relation to gender.
A study with around 2,900 participants
The team gathered the necessary data from a sizable group of participants known as the "STAAB study." This study involved approximately 5,000 randomly selected volunteers from the general population of Würzburg and initially focused on studying the development of cardiovascular diseases. However, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program was spontaneously expanded to encompass the investigation of the psychosocial impacts of the pandemic, the lockdown measures, and other associated consequences.
A total of 2,890 individuals, comprising 1,520 women and 1,370 men, participated in the survey. Their ages ranged from 34 to 85 years, with a median age of 60 years. Between June and October 2020, these participants were required to complete an extensive questionnaire concerning their mental health.
The questionnaire covered various aspects, including the level of support they felt from their social environment, colleagues, and superiors. Participants were also asked whether they had someone with whom they could discuss their problems. Additionally, the survey inquired about the extent to which the restrictions on contact with parents and grandparents were burdensome and the amount of stress experienced at work or in school. Furthermore, financial problems or concerns about them were the subject of additional questions.
To assess the data, Professor Hein and her team employed a specialized method known as network analysis. "With the network approach, we can visually represent each variable as individual nodes," explains Hein. This enables the identification of variables that exhibit strong connections with other variables. The network analysis allows for the visualization of complex relationships between symptoms of various mental disorders, thereby shedding light on potential comorbidities and helping to explain their interconnections.
Results fit traditional gender norms
Grit Hein and Martin Weiß were hardly taken aback by the findings. "The correlation between men and work, and women and family and friends, can be attributed to traditional gender norms and roles," explains Hein. Consequently, men typically experience a greater impact from job insecurity and unemployment, leading to higher psychological stress. On the other hand, women tend to feel more strained when they perceive that their family responsibilities are being neglected.
Additionally, it is plausible that women exhibit better psychological coping mechanisms when they receive support from friends and family. "This aligns with the traditional female family role, which involves a stronger inclination to maintain close social connections and seek social support as a means to reduce stress and enhance overall well-being," explains Hein.Despite the clarity of these findings, the study leaders highlight several limitations. The most significant one is that the context of the COVID-19 pandemic is highly specific, raising questions about the generalizability of the results to pandemic-independent situations. However, one undeniable finding is that "our results emphasize the importance of considering social aspects in therapeutic interventions to enhance the mental well-being of both women and men."
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