Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the physical-emotional state of older adults during the pandemic, considering gender differences and the influence of COVID-19-related deaths of close individuals. Various measurement scales were utilized, including the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS), and the Gratitude Scale (CG-6). The sample consisted of 71 participants aged between 55 and 75 years. The results indicated that men exhibited higher levels of subjective happiness, better mental health, greater quality of life, and lower perceived stress and pain compared to women. However, when considering the variable of COVID-19-related deaths, significant differences were observed only in mental health and perceived stress between men and women among participants who had not experienced close losses. In conclusion, this study revealed differences in the physical-emotional state between men and women during the pandemic. Furthermore, it was found that the proximity of COVID-19-related deaths had a differential impact on mental health and perceived stress according to gender. These findings contribute to understanding the psychosocial effects of the pandemic on older adults and underscore the importance of considering gender differences in physical and emotional health during crisis situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic.