How Does My Mask Look? Nonverbal Communication Through Decorative Mask-Wearing

Abstract

The CDC (How to select, wear, clean your mask, 2020) recommends wearing masks to slow the spread of COVID-19. Many states and municipalities require mask-wearing. An ABC News/Ipsos Poll Jackson et al. (Americans slow to change out-of-home behavior, 2020) reported that 87% of people in the U.S. wore a mask in public in the previous week. This study explores the role of decorative masks in mask-wearing compliance among adults. It also examines how decorative masks are used as nonverbal artifacts to communicate an aspect of the wearer’s individuality. A survey of 235 individuals across the U.S. found that most individuals (72%) believe their mask communicates something nonverbally to others. Messages such as “showing concern for others” (86%) and “a desire to slow the spread of COVID-19 (84%) were supported as possible messages mask-wearing communicates. Sex did have a significant effect on the choice of mask selection. A significant percentage of women and those identifying as intersex chose fashion masks more frequently than medical masks when compared to men.

Appendix

Survey questions.

• 1. Statement of Consent

  I have read this form (or have had it read to me). I have been encouraged to ask questions. I have received answers to my questions. I give my consent to participate in this study. I understand the risks and discomforts associated with the above study and understand that I may quit the study at any time without penalty.

Yes

No

• 2. How often do you wear a mask because of COVID-19?

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

• 3. If you wear a disposable mask, why is this your preferred choice (select all that apply)?

Convenient	Don’t like cloth masks
Safer	Cooler to wear
Work provides	Fits better
Other (please specify)

• 4. When you wear a mask in public, what type(s) of mask do you wear most often?

Disposable paper mask	Cloth mask with work/company logo
Plain cloth mask	N95 or KN95 mask
Solid colored cloth mask (all red, black, blue, etc.)	Solid colored gaiter—pull up covering
Cloth mask with design or embellishment	Gaiter with design or embellishment
Other (please specify)

• 5. How likely are you to wear a colored cloth mask or a mask with a design?

Very likely

Likely

Neither likely nor unlikely

Unlikely

Very unlikely

• 6. What is the design of the mask you wear most often?

Plain color	Artistic design
Sports team	Company logo
Sequined/bling	Game logo
Other (please specify)

• 7. How many masks do you own?

1–2

3–4

5–6

7–8

9–10

More than 10

Varies-using disposable masks

None

Prefer not to answer

• 8. How much does your mask communicate something about you?

A great deal

A lot

A moderate amount

A little

None at all

• 9. What do you feel your masks communicate about you?

• 10. How does your mask choice make you feel about wearing your mask?

Completely happy to wear it

Somewhat happy to wear it

Neutral about wearing it

Somewhat unhappy to wear it

Completely unhappy to wear it

• 11. How likely are you to continue wearing your mask?

Very likely

Likely

Neither likely nor unlikely

Unlikely

Very unlikely

• 12. How much do you agree or disagree that wearing your mask demonstrates courtesy to others?

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

• 13. How much do you agree or disagree that wearing your mask shows your desire to stop the spread of COVID-19?

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

• 14. What is your sex?

Female

Male

Inter sex

Prefer not to answer

• 15. What is your age?

18–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–64

65–74

75 or older

Prefer not to answer

• 16. What is the highest level of education you have completed?

Did not attend school

Graduated from middle school

Graduated from high school

Graduated from college

Some graduate school

Completed graduate school

Prefer not to answer

Survey Monkey added five of their questions to the survey. Some were repetitive with different categories.

• A. Age (<18, 18–29, 30–44, 45–60, >60)

• B. Sex (male and female)

• C. Income $0–$200,000+ 

• D. Region (New England, Middle Atlantic, East North Central, West North Central, South Atlantic, East South Central, West South Central, Mountain, Pacific)

• E. Device type used (IOS Phone/Tablet, Android Phone/Tablet, Other Phone/Tablet, Windows Desktop/Laptop, MacOS Desktop/Laptop, Other).