Facemasking Behaviors, Preferences, and Attitudes Among Emerging Adults in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Facemasks have become requisite amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We explore facemasking behaviors, preferences, and attitudes among emerging adults, a “distinct period demographically” within the lifespan. Public opinion polls conducted in May 2020 found that emerging adults were the least compliant when compared to other demographic groups. To understand why, we developed a survey instrument that was administered to a demographically representative quota sample of 1,005 participants. Demographic comparisons revealed that behaviors and attitudes differed significantly by political beliefs, gender, living situation, and race. An exploratory factor analysis revealed six underlying variables: (a) facemask avoidance; (b) concerned adherence (c) vexed faultfinding; (d) statement making; (e) fashion enthusiasm; and (f) hygiene adherence. All factors varied significantly by political affiliation, and in some cases by gender, race, living situation, location, and work/education status. Significant correlations were present between all factors except fashion enthusiasm and vexed faultfinding.

From 100-Year-Old Women’s Motoring Masks to Contemporary PPE: A Socio-Political Study of Persistent Problems and Inventive Possibilities

“…At the same time, researchers in environmental studies and sustainability are raising concerns about the worldwide waste of disposable PPE (Kutralam-Muniasamy et al, 2022). Social scientists have explored people’s attitudes to mask wearing (Green et al, 2021; Wong and Claypool, 2021); the connection between face masks and social and political identity (Powdthavee et al, 2021; Sabnani, 2022), gender and masculinity (Howard, 2021) and the digital (Klinenberg and Sherman, 2021); as well as DIY mask-making practices (Achremowicz and Kamińska-Sztark, 2020). In addition, fashion scholars have studied how people as well as brands have shifted meanings of masks from practical public health necessity to desirable protective accessory (Elan, 2021; Kipp and Robertson, 2021).…”

Infection Prevention during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

“… 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 Masking compliance varies based on age, sex, geographic setting, location of activity, and political affiliation. 105 , 110 , 111 , 112 …”

Facing COVID-19: Quantifying the Use of Reusable vs. Disposable Facemasks

“…As the rapid survey was designed to acquire quantitative data, the study is by necessity silent on factors regarding a user's motivations that would influence preference. While other studies have looked at mask awareness [50] and socio-economic factors [51] the present study is purely observational in nature and thus can only illuminate such aspects by proxy.…”