Page 101 - IJPS-11-5

International Journal of
Population Studies Older adults, gender, and emotions during pandemic

Table 3. Chi‑square test of demographic and situational factors related to fear
Variable analyzed Chi‑square statistic p‑value Degrees of freedom
Gender (male, female) 9.81 0.0073 2
Age group (65 – 79, 80 and +) 3.30 0.19 2
Self-perceived health 3.40 0.99 12
Living arrangement (living alone) 5.46 0.48 6
Number of cohabitants 14.90 0.78 20
Open space availability 2.55 0.63 4
Health condition (using medication regularly) 1.09 0.57 2
Property ownership (owner/tenant) 9.32 0.15 6
Note: The p-values indicate whether there is a statistically significant association between the analyzed variable and the perception of fear (p<0.05). “No
response” cases were included in the analysis.

and family ties, along with concerns about physical health
and face-to-face interaction. For men with fear (top right),
“freedom” and “contact” also prevail, but “happiness”
and “sociability” emerge as significant themes, indicating
that the loss of social engagement affects their emotional
well-being. In addition, “loneliness” is a prominent issue.
Women without fear (bottom left) continue to emphasize
“freedom” and “contact” but also mention “family” and
“life,” suggesting a less intense impact. Men without fear
(bottom right) highlight “freedom” and “contact,” though
with less emphasis on specific losses. Together, these
clouds illustrate a generalized experience of restricted
Figure 1. Intra-case variations in responses by gender across three survey freedom, with emotional impacts varying by gender and
waves
fear status. These word clouds provide a visual summary
illustrates the temporal variation in intra-case responses of the predominant terms associated with loss among
across distinct patterns. The No-No-No category, where distinct groups with “freedom” as the central theme
participants did not experience fear in any wave, is most reflecting autonomy-related constraints. This aligns with
common among men (41.1%) compared to women (33%), the thematic categories presented below, where we further
suggesting that men are less likely to consistently report explore perceptions of loss – ranging from heteronomy
fear. In contrast, the Yes-Yes-Yes pattern, indicating and socio-affective bonds to economic stability and health
persistent fear, is more frequent among women (22%) – each varying by gender and fear status.
than men (18%), reflecting a greater consistency in fear In Table 4, we see how different themes of perceived
expression among women. Intermittent patterns, where losses – heteronomy, socio-affective bonds, economic
fear appears in one or two waves, show a more balanced stability, and health – were experienced by older adults
distribution between genders. This analysis suggests a across gender and fear status during the pandemic. We
gender difference in the perception and persistence of fear understand heteronomy as a scenario that constrains
during the pandemic. Men appear less affected in terms individuals’ independence by placing their ability to make
of persistent fear, while women show a more consistent choices under the control of an external force, and socio-
reporting of fear. affective bonds as the interconnected elements associated

The relationship between fear and gender leaves with the restoration of physical, social, and emotional
the question of the sources of loss for men and women connections, including relationships within family and
unanswered. To address this, we used word clouds to friendship circles. In addition, economic limitations and
graphically represent the perceived losses in the third anxieties are linked to financial welfare, while health issue
wave (Figure 2). The dominant term across all groups is pertains to restraints and anxieties arising from limitations
“freedom,” highlighting a shared sense of autonomy loss. in both physical and mental well-being.
For women with fear (top left), “freedom” and “contact” are By examining, through an aggregated analysis of
central, reflecting a strong yearning for social connections participants’ responses across the three waves, how men

Volume 11 Issue 5 (2025) 95 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.5686