Gender Differences in Negative Psychological Responses to Crisis News: The Case of the I-35W Collapse

Abstract

Although past research suggests that media dependencies may be especially strong during crises and other times of uncertainty, little is known about gender differences in both information seeking and responses under these conditions. This study explores these differences using data collected from Minneapolis residents following the I-35W bridge collapse. Results do not support gender differences in information seeking, but indicate substantive differences in negative psychological responses. Recent research on rumination is offered as a potential explanation for these findings.