THE PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT OF WEARING FACE MASKS IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
THE PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT OF WEARING FACE MASKS IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Summary/Abstract: Introduction: The measures that had to be taken in the COVID-19 pandemic for our protection and to stop the spread of the virus led to many changes about the way that we think, feel and behave. One of the main measures imposed in that direction was the obligation of wearing face mask in public places. Materials and methods: The study was realized on a sample of 93 people aged between 18 and 66 years old, all of them living in Romania. This was achieved through a questionnaire with 12 questions targeting how the face mask looks in the eyes of people, which are the main reasons why people chose to wear it and how it has affected our personal and interpersonal life. Results: In addition to personal safety, coercion by the authorities was another major reason for 52% of respondents for which they chose to wear a face mask. 33% of them wear it only if those around them do. Wearing it caused problems such as breathing difficulties (39%), speech difficulties (34%), misting of glasses (41%), irritation of the face (44%).Conclusions: The main reasons that led people to wear face mask are the protection against infection, the imposed legislative measures, respectively the coercion from other people. Wearing face masks can lead to problems such as breathing difficulties, speech difficulties, misting of glasses, irritation of the face. In terms of interpersonal relationships, wearing a face mask formed an impediment against non-verbal communication expressed through facial expressions.

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