Effect of covid-19 confinement on gender stereotypes and health

Abstract

There are several effects that the pandemic nature of COVID-19 and the consequent forced confinement have had on the general population and especially on women. It has become necessary to reconcile work obligations with the care of children, dependents, and household work. These tasks are traditionally related to the gender stereotypes assigned to women. This study focuses on analysing the impact that confinement may have had on women in relation to the internalization of gender-based norms and whether this situation has increased anxiety and depression in these same women. A total of 502 women aged 18- 71 years participated, with 251 completing the three measurement instruments before the confinement and the other 251 completing them three months after the confinement began. The results show a clear influence of confinement on the anxiety and depression of the participating women, as well as changes in the perception of some of the gender stereotypes traditionally assigned to women.