Study suggests older men worry less about COVID-19, hence at greater risk

According to a study by a researcher at the Georgia State University, older men tend to worry less compared to others about COVID-19, and hence might be at greater risk of contracting the disease as they are less likely to bring in behavioural changes like wearing masks or stop touching their faces.

Atlanta (USA): Older men might be at greater risk of contracting COVID-19, as they are less likely to worry about the disease compared to others, a new study by a researcher at the Georgia State University has revealed.

The study, by Sarah Barber, a gerontology and psychology researcher, involved an online questionnaire assessing COVID-19 perceptions and behaviour changes. The results of the study were published by The Journals of Gerontology.

Among the participants were 146 younger adults (18-35) and 156 older adults (65-81), who answered questions on the perceived severity of the pandemic -- whether they thought people were over-reacting. The study also assessed to what extent participants were worried about contracting the virus themselves, or the prospect of a family member getting infected. The participants also answered questions about lifestyle disruptions, hospitals being overwhelmed, an economic recession, an official release stated.

The questionnaire also assessed behavioural changes that could reduce infection risk -- washing hands, wearing a mask, social distancing, self-care, etc.

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According to the researcher, while most participants were at least moderately concerned about COVID-19, older men were less worried about the disease than others. It was found that older men had adopted the fewest number of behaviour changes - they were relatively less likely to have worn a mask or stopped touching their faces.

The findings of the study are worrying as data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows the fatality rate of COVID-19 steadily rises with age, and that men are more at risk than women.

The researcher said that older adults, in general, tend to worry less -- maybe because they have better coping strategies, perhaps gained through experience.

However, the researcher hopes that if older men can be better educated about the virus, they may adopt protective behaviors even if they don't feel worried.

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