1
|
Lee SY, Ham JH, Park HK, Jang DH, Jang WM. Association Between Risk Perceptions of COVID-19, Political Ideology, and Mask-Wearing Behavior After the Outbreak: A Cross-Sectional Survey in South Korea. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2024; 17:1659-1668. [PMID: 38915789 PMCID: PMC11195682 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s463739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose After the declaration by the World Health Organization signaling the conclusion of the COVID-19 pandemic, most countries lifted mandatory mask-wearing regulations. This study aimed to investigate factors such as risk perception and political ideology associated with continued adherence to mask-wearing among specific populations, particularly when it is no longer deemed necessary. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study including a sample of 1001 respondents stratified by sex, age (≥ 18 years), and region from January 31 to February 2, 2023, after the mandatory mask regulation was lifted in South Korea. Multivariate logistic regression models were applied to estimate the relationships between risk perceptions, political ideology, and mask-wearing maintenance, adjusting for factors such as sex, age, occupation, and trust in the government. Results Our results indicated significant associations between age, self-reported household economic status, political ideology, affective risk perception, and perceived effectiveness of the government's COVID-related measures with indoor mask-wearing. Specifically, liberals were more likely to keep mask-wearing indoors than conservatives (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.19; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.33-3.59); and those who perceived a greater affective risk of COVID-19 (aOR: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.96-3.10), along with those who perceived the government's countermeasures as inadequate, were more inclined to maintain the habit of wearing masks indoors (aOR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.19-3.03). Conclusion Our study highlighted the multifaceted factors influencing mask-wearing behavior in the post-COVID-19 era. Even after adjusting for various confounding factors, such as age, sex, and trust in the government, an association remained between affective risk perception, political ideology, and mask-wearing behavior. However, further research for psychological mechanisms is needed to foster a culture of preventive behaviors proportional to the risk of infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seung Yeon Lee
- Department of Administration, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
- Office of External Affairs, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Centre, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ji Hye Ham
- Seoul Public Health Research Institute, Seoul Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyun-Kyung Park
- Health Insurance Research Institute, National Health Insurance Service, Wonju, South Korea
| | - Deok Hyun Jang
- Research Analytics & Communications, Gallup Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Won Mo Jang
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Centre, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Miyazaki Y, Kamatani M, Tsurumi S, Suda T, Wakasugi K, Matsunaga K, Kawahara JI. Effects of wearing an opaque or transparent face mask on the perception of facial expressions: A comparative study between Japanese school-aged children and adults. Perception 2023; 52:782-798. [PMID: 37728164 DOI: 10.1177/03010066231200693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
The negative side effects of mask-wearing on reading facial emotional cues have been investigated in several studies with adults post-2020. However, little is known about children. This study aimed to determine the negative influence of mask-wearing on reading emotions of adult faces by Japanese school-aged children, compared to Japanese adults. We also examined whether this negative influence could be alleviated by using a transparent face mask instead of an opaque one (surgical mask). The performance on reading emotions was measured using emotion categorization and emotion intensity rating tasks for adult faces. As per the findings, the accuracy of emotion recognition in children was impaired for various facial expressions (disgust, fear, happy, neutral, sad, and surprise faces), except for angry faces. Conversely, in adults, it was impaired for a few facial expressions. The perceived intensity for happy faces with a surgical mask was weaker in both children and adults than in those without the mask. A negative influence of wearing surgical masks was generally not observed for faces wearing a transparent mask in both children and adults. Thus, negative side effects of mask-wearing on reading emotions are observed for more facial expressions in children than in adults; transparent masks can help remedy these.
Collapse
|
3
|
Nicolo M, Kawaguchi E, Ghanem-Uzqueda A, Soto D, Deva S, Shanker K, Lee R, Gilliland F, Klausner JD, Baezconde-Garbanati L, Kovacs A, Van Orman S, Hu H, Unger JB. Characteristics associated with attitudes and behaviors towards mask wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic: The Trojan Pandemic Response Initiative. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1968. [PMID: 37821836 PMCID: PMC10566076 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16915-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Attitudes and behaviors towards mask wearing may influence the ability to reduce transmission of COVID-19 and other diseases. METHODS University students, staff, and faculty (N = 9653) responded to an email invitation to complete electronic surveys (November 2021 and April 2022). Surveys included 19 items measuring attitudes and behaviors towards mask wearing from the Understanding America Study. Linear mixed models including variables for sex, age group, division, race and ethnicity, political affiliation, and history of COVID-19, were used to estimate the mean difference of the mean score for attitudes and behavior between Time 1 (November 2021) and Time 2 (April 2022). RESULTS Participants were mostly female (62.1%), students (70.6%), White (39.5%) and Asian (34.7%). More than half identified their political affiliation as Democrat (65.5%). Characteristic variable-by-time interactions for difference in mean mask attitude scores difference were significant at Time 1 (T1) and Time 2 (T2) between Black and White participants (B = 0.18 (0.05), 95% CI: 0.07, 0.28, p = 0.001), Asian and White participants (B = 0.07 (0.02), 95% CI: 0.03-0.12, p = 0.001), participants with self-reported history of COVID-19 and no history of COVID-19 (B= -0.13 (0.02), 95% CI: -0.07, -0.18, p < 0.0001), females and males (B = 0.07 (0.02), 95% CI: 0.03, 0.11, p = 0.001), Republicans and Democrats (B= -0.18 (0.04), 95%CI: -0.26, -0.10, p < 0.0001) and Independents and Democrats (B= -0.10 (0.03), 95%CI: -0.15, -0.05, p < 0.0001). Mean difference in mean scores for mask behaviors at Time and Time 2 were significant between participants with COVID-19 and participants who did not have COVID-19 (B= -0.12 (0.04), 95% CI: -0.19, -0.04, p = 0.004), students compared to faculty and staff (B=-0.22 (0.05), -0.32, -0.12, p < 0.0001), between Republicans and Democrats (B-= -0.16 (0.07), 95% CI: -0.28, -0.03, p = 0.020, and between Independents and Democrats (B=-0.08 (0.04), 95% CI: -0.16, -0.002, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION Race and ethnicity, political affiliation, and division may affect attitudes and behaviors in mask wearing. Further investigation into how characteristics influence public health measures such as mask wearing is needed to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus, other infectious diseases, and future pandemics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michele Nicolo
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, California State University Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Eric Kawaguchi
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Angie Ghanem-Uzqueda
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Family Medicine, Keck Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Soto
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sohini Deva
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kush Shanker
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ryan Lee
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Frank Gilliland
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Klausner
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Andrea Kovacs
- Keck School Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Sarah Van Orman
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Family Medicine, Keck Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Howard Hu
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer B Unger
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Liu Y, Huang C. Why elderly in rural China didn't wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic? A qualitative narrative interview study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1757. [PMID: 37689669 PMCID: PMC10492314 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16653-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, ageism and stigmatization towards the elderly have been prominent issues. In addition, there have been debates on Chinese social media as to why elderly people in rural areas are not wearing masks. While some factors that affect the mask-wearing behaviour of the elderly have been analyzed, little attention has been given to the lived experiences and behavioral intentions of rural elderly people who choose not to wear masks, despite government mandates to do so. METHOD In this research, 50 semi-structured interviews with 30 elderly individuals in three Chinese villages were carried out using the qualitative method of semi-structured interviews. Following verbatim recording and transcription of the conversations, the subject was analyzed using the Theory of Reasoned Action. RESULTS We identified four factors that influence the non-masking behaviour of rural elderly, including past experiences, cultural concepts, cognitive attitudes, and health and safety anxiety, and identified nine sub-themes based on the four overarching themes. Past knowledge, experience, and history have led rural elderly people to distrust the government's mandatory "mask mandate," believing that they do not need to wear masks. Rural cultural concepts and habits make the elderly feel that masks not only fail to provide protection but also become obstacles, resulting in poor daily experiences. Cognitive attitudes and emotions determine the elderly's evaluation of masks, which in turn affects their use of masks. Finally, elderly individuals'chronic diseases directly affect the physical pain and life safety caused by their use of masks, which is a major objective factor for their non-masking. CONCLUSIONS Although numerous studies have concluded that Chinese people wore masks out of collectivism and conformity during the pandemic, marginalized groups' opposition to wearing masks also contains distinctive, individualized elements and underlying causes. By exposing these elements and reasons, we can better comprehend the peculiar behavior of particular groups while fighting the pandemic. The needs of marginalized populations should be prioritized by public health policy makers to provide more equitable services.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunlai Liu
- School of Media, Anqing Normal University, Anqing, China.
| | - Chunyan Huang
- The Department of Communication, University of Macau, Macau, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kwon M, Yang W. Mask-Wearing Behaviors after Two Years of Wearing Masks Due to COVID-19 in Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14940. [PMID: 36429657 PMCID: PMC9691200 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192214940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In Korea, wearing masks in public places has become the norm during the prolonged coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This cross-sectional study investigated the mask-wearing behavior of Koreans (n = 433) via online mode living in Seoul and Gwangju after wearing a mask in public spaces for two years due to COVID-19. The respondents selected their face masks based on season, gender, age, occupation, mask-wearing hours, mask filter performance, mask shape, and mask color. The general discomfort caused by wearing a mask was divided into physical and speech discomfort, and it was not correlated with anxiety when not wearing a face mask. Speech discomfort caused by wearing a mask was correlated with general discomfort, clear speech, vocal pain, anxiety, and only-indoor mask-off plans. Anxiety when not wearing a mask appeared to affect both indoor and outdoor mask-off plans. The more uncomfortable and less anxious respondents were when not wearing a mask, the sooner they wanted to discontinue wearing masks indoors and outdoors. It is expected that the use of masks will continue in the future and that there may be differences in the place and time of use of masks in Korea and around the world due to new infectious diseases and fine dust. Facial masks can be worn more comfortably and conveniently if the discomfort and anxiety of wearing a mask are improved by considering various behaviors when wearing a mask in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miji Kwon
- Department of Speech-Language Rehabilitation & Counseling, Gwangju University, Gwangju 61743, Korea
| | - Wonyoung Yang
- Division of Architecture, Gwangju University, Gwangju 61743, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kwon M, Jang EM, Yang W. Mask-Wearing Perception of Preschool Children in Korea during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191811443. [PMID: 36141716 PMCID: PMC9516996 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, wearing a mask has become a daily routine in Korea over the last two years. This study aims to investigate the mask-wearing perception of preschoolers (ages 4-6). The questionnaire comprised 17 yes-no closed-ended questions and two open-ended questions, and interviews of the children were conducted from January to February 2022, 15 months after mandatory mask wearing. Results showed that children were aware of the need to wear a mask to protect themselves and others from the coronavirus, and they perceived it as necessary and a good thing. Most children responded that they did not feel uncomfortable wearing a mask at preschool. This perception was thought to be influenced by the caregivers' perceptions of the mask in Korea. The way in which 4-5-year-olds perceived the mask differed from the way 6-year-olds did. Children aged between four and five seemed to perceive the mask as a physical self, while children aged six did not. As children who have experienced COVID-19 are growing up, attention is being focused on how the experience of wearing a mask affects their early childhood development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miji Kwon
- Department of Speech-Language Rehabilitation & Counseling, Gwangju University, Gwangju 61743, Korea
| | - Eun-Mi Jang
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Daegu Cyber University, Gyeongsan 38453, Korea
| | - Wonyoung Yang
- Division of Architecture, Gwangju University, Gwangju 61743, Korea
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bridges E, Fowler K. Grocery Shopping before, during and after the Pandemic: A Qualitative Study. FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES RESEARCH JOURNAL 2022; 51:35-50. [PMID: 36246094 PMCID: PMC9537917 DOI: 10.1111/fcsr.12453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This research compares grocery shopping attitudes and behaviors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly online/offline shopping modes. Prior to COVID-19, more consumers shopped in person, even if it was not preferred; consumers who preferred to shop online were found to have greater need for control. During the pandemic, more consumers adopted online grocery shopping, and differences in need for control disappeared. Qualitative research suggests that need for control was superseded by lower-order needs related to food/safety. There is also a growing consumer desire to grocery shop in person, so postpandemic, this is anticipated to increase relative to online shopping.
Collapse
|