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Reassessing Gender Differences in COVID-19 Risk Perception and Behavior

General Information

Title
Reassessing Gender Differences in COVID-19 Risk Perception and Behavior
Author
Mónica Ferrín
Publication Type
Journal paper
Outlet
Social Science Quarterly
Year
2022
Abstract
Objective: This article reassesses the gender differences inCOVID-19 attitudes and behavior found in previous studies by examining to what extent the gender gap in the adoption ofCOVID-19 preventive behaviors is dependent on women’s and men’s perceptions of risk.

Methods: The data utilized in this study were obtained from the “Understanding America Study Coronavirus in America(‘COVID’) Survey,” conducted by the Center for Economic and Social Research (CESR), at the University of Southern California. Result: This study shows that women are more risk averse than men, but that the gender gap in risk behavior depends on the level of risk that is associated with COVID-19.

Conclusion:Risk perception is a stronger driver of risk behavior for men than for women, who generally tend to adopt safe measures to protect themselves and others. Different messages should be delivered to women and men to increase compliance with norms.