Men’s Attitudes Toward Mask-Wearing During COVID-19: Understanding the Complexities of Mask-ulinity
Men’s Attitudes Toward Mask-Wearing During COVID-19: Understanding the Complexities of Mask-ulinity
Project Summary
In the United States, men appear to be less willing to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, with research reporting they do not intend to wear masks as much as women (Capraro and Barcelo, 2020). We sought understand the reasons for this by examining the complex relations between masculinity, health beliefs, confidence in scientific experts, empathy toward the vulnerable, and political ideology. 596 men participated in an online survey to understand how these factors relate to their attitudes toward mask-wearing.
Approach
Online survey, path analysis.
Key Findings
The results supported the hypotheses of the study that the relationship between conformity to traditional masculinity norms (CMN) and attitudes toward mask-wearing was mediated by perceived benefits, perceived barriers, confidence in scientific experts, and empathy to persons vulnerable to COVID-19. Additionally, conservative men were less likely to see benefits to CDC recommendations, more likely to see barriers, and had less confidence in science and less empathy for the vulnerable; but liberal men were more likely to respond to COVID-19 recommendations like conservative men the more they conformed to traditional masculine norms.