Older adults, gender, and emotions: Fear during the COVID-19 pandemic in Buenos Aires City, Argentina

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted society, with older adults and men experiencing higher mortality rates. Paradoxically, despite lower mortality risk, women reported higher levels of fear than men. This study examines gendered emotional responses among adults aged 65 and older during the pandemic, using data from 322 individuals (219 women, 103 men) living in non-institutionalized settings and distributed in 45 of Buenos Aires’ 48 neighborhoods. Participants, recruited through snowball sampling, completed three waves of telephone surveys over 63 days during the peak COVID-19 period in 2020. The survey included 57 questions – both open and close ended – aimed at assessing emotional well-being during lockdown. This article focuses on data from three open-ended questions, which were instrumental in uncovering key themes about the emotional experiences of respondents during lockdown. Findings reveal that 63% of respondents experienced fear, with women consistently reporting higher levels. This fear often stemmed from a sense of loss, as qualitative analysis identified four categories of perceived loss: autonomy, socio-affective ties, economic stability, and health concerns. Gendered patterns emerged, with women frequently associating fear with the loss of social connections and emotional support, while men emphasized autonomy and economic stability. These differences underscore how social expectations and subjective beliefs shape emotional responses during crises. Our study highlights the importance of crisis response strategies, mental health support, and policies that address these gender-specific emotional needs.