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.

The personal growth resources of the adult population following the first months of the war in Ukraine

“…As for the first part of the revealed gender differences, our results are fully consistent with the data of other researchers, most of whom have also reported significantly higher levels of posttraumatic growth in women than in men (e.g. Cohen-Louck, 2022;Fausor et al, 2022;Khechuashvili, 2018;Kobosko et al, 2021;Sicilia et al, 2022). Only some scientists have noted a lack of gendered differences in posttraumatic growth (Cundiff et al, 2023;Mesidor & Whaley, 2022).…”

Psychological experience of university students during prolonged quarantine in China: a qualitative study

“…Cohen-Louck suggests that the longer the quarantine, the higher the level of post-traumatic growth. 35 Stallard et al ’s research 36 also showed that 88.6% of the 341 respondents believed that COVID-19 and quarantine would bring positive effects, including more intimate family relationships and greater appreciation of life and others, which was consistent with the conclusions drawn in our study. Participants expressed gratitude to the community workers, medical personnel and neighbours because of the help they obtained during the quarantine, and also placed more emphasis on emotional connection with family members.…”

Stress, anxiety, and depression in times of COVID-19: Gender, individual quarantine, pandemic duration and employment

“…Although the research on effects of a prolonged pandemic is limited ( 51 ), some research has explored such concepts as chronic terrorism ( 52 ), continuous traumatic situations/stressors ( 53 , 54 ), lifetime cumulative adversity ( 55 ) and ongoing traumatic stress response ( 56 ). These concepts refer to accumulating effects of continuing mass exposure to traumatic events or stressors in the context of wars and political violence such as terrorism.…”