The relationship between masculinity and men’s COVID-19 safety precautions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract

Studies have indicated that men are less likely to engage in COVID-19-safety precautions such as mask wearing and social distancing compared to women, and men's adherence to masculine gender norms may contribute to this discrepancy. This systematic review sought to consolidate extant research exploring the relationship between men's adherence to masculine norms and their attitudes and engagement with COVID-19 safety precautions. A systematic search was conducted across APA PsycInfo, MEDLINE, and SCOPUS to identify data from quantitative and qualitative studies, written in English, using samples including adolescent or adult males. Of the 4,326 studies initially identified, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria (eight quantitative and three qualitative). A total number of 3,134 male participants were included, the majority of which were from North America. The meta-analysis revealed a negative relationship between men's adherence to masculine norms and wearing masks (r = −.52, n = 2,783) and general or mixed measures of COVID-19 precautions (r = −.18, n = 612). There was insufficient evidence to metaanalyse other specific relationships; however, the thematic synthesis revealed a limited quantity of evidence that reported mixed findings about whether or not masculinity is related the specific precautions of hand washing, social distancing, restricted travel, vaccinations, and staying at home. As the majority of studies were U.S. based and the concept of masculinity can vary by culture, further research is required to determine the cross-cultural validity of these findings. The present review provides valuable insight for policy makers looking to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Public Significance StatementThe COVID-19 pandemic continues around the globe, and public health response strategies must continually be updated to ensure they remain efficacy. This review shows consistent evidence that men who adhere to traditional social norms around masculinity are less likely to engage in safety precautions that protect themselves and their communities from contracting COVID-19. This has serious implications including contributing to the longevity of the pandemic and associated financial, health, and well-being costs.