Impact of COVID-19 on student perceived stress, life satisfaction, and psychological flexibility: examination of gender differences.

To identify stress management practices and examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on well-being among male and female physician assistant (PA) students. Participants included 1,239 students from nine PA programs who matriculated pre-pandemic, acute pandemic, or post-acute pandemic. Measures included questions about stress management practices and validated instruments assessing perceived stress, life satisfaction, and psychological flexibility. Data were analyzed for differences based on year and gender. Exercise (91.6%), yoga (54.6%), meditation (34.3%), and journaling (32.5%) were commonly reported stress reduction practices. Newly matriculated PA students adjusted to the COVID-19 pandemic differently based on gender. Pre-pandemic, men and women reported similar levels of perceived stress and psychological flexibility, but female students reported higher life satisfaction. Post-acute pandemic, however, female students reported higher perceived stress and lower psychological flexibility. Wellness resources may be strengthened by approaches that account for differences based on gender.