Gender Differences on COVID-19 Related Anxiety Among Students

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic creates complex problems and in almost all aspects of life, everyone has been anxious, worried, and panicked about survival. Starting with children, young and old, men and women feel anxious about the threat of COVID-19. This study aimed to determine the differences in anxiety levels between male and female students during the COVID-19 period based on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (Hamilton, 1969). This study used a survey method with a descriptive design. Sampling using accidental sampling, 396 respondents consisted of 99 male and 297 female with age range of 21-23 years was acquired. Data analysis was based on univariate and bivariate analysis using Chi-Square. The results showed that overall respondents were experiencing high levels of anxiety about COVID-19. On the other hand, there was non-significant difference in anxiety levels between male and female students in facing the COVID-19 pandemic; thereby, indicating that gender did not have significant role in emotional reactivity, such as anxiety and fear. Anxiety would arise when there would be environmental pressures that can hinder one's activities of both male and female students.