Differences in post-traumatic growth: Individual quarantine, COVID-19 duration and gender

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study focuses on positive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and aims to identify associations between gender, individual quarantine and duration of the COVID-19 (short- medium- and long-term pandemic), and posttraumatic growth (PTG).MethodThe data was collected via an online survey in Israel, and included 1,301 participants, 543 participants experienced short-term pandemics, 428 participants experienced medium-term pandemics and 330 participants experienced long-term pandemics. Most of the participants were female (73.6%), ranging from 18 to 89 years-old. The participants answered questions about their demographic background, individual quarantine experiences and ranked their PTG level.ResultsThe results indicate a significant main effect of gender and pandemic duration (short-, medium- and long-term pandemic). Women reported higher PTG levels than men, and participants experiencing short-term pandemic reported significantly lower PTG levels than participants experiencing medium- or long-term pandemic. There was also a significant interaction between gender and pandemic duration regarding PTG and a significant interaction in PTG by gender, pandemic duration and individual quarantine.ConclusionThe discussion addresses the findings in the context of traditional gender roles and gender differences in finding meaning and worth in home confinement situations.