Researchers find a link between consistent mask wear and improved well-being

Since the emergence of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), universal masking has been implemented in many countries.

Wearing face masks or coverings can help reduce the risk of contamination with SARS-CoV-2 as they prevent the ingress of infectious respiratory droplets. At the same time, it prevents drops from reaching people when the infected sneezes, coughs, talks or breathes.

A team of researchers from the University of Edinburgh, UK, found that wearing a face cover improves mental health. Those who usually wore face covers or masks had better mental health and well-being than those who didn’t.

The study, published on the preprint medRxiv * server, surveyed more than 11,000 participants in the UK.

Face covering

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends wearing a face mask as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Using a mask alone is not enough to provide adequate protection, but it is effective in conjunction with other infection control measures.

The health department also recommends that people wear a mask when they are around other people. When properly worn, the mask should cover the nose, mouth and chin.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are urging the public to wear face covers made of fabric. Surgical and medical masks are intended for health professionals. This is to avoid depletion of this medical equipment, which is crucial for the protection of frontline workers.

The study

The team has conducted longitudinal analyzes in the UK. To arrive at the study results, they recruited the participants who completed the CovidLife surveys. The data was collected from April to June 2020 via the Qualtrics platform. The participants’ mental health outcomes were evaluated.

The researchers revealed that adhering to facial covering guidelines was not linked to poorer mental health. The team found that people who always wore their masks had better mental health than those who didn’t.

Therefore, the study shows that wearing face masks or masks more often does not negatively impact mental health.

The study’s findings revealed that the chances of feeling anxious were 58% lower in those who always wore their masks. The likelihood of depressive symptoms was 25% lower in people who wore their masks most of the time. Finally, the chance of feeling lonely was 67% lower among those who always wore their mask.

“Indeed, the opposite appears to be the case: stronger adherence to guidelines is associated with less anxiety and loneliness, and greater satisfaction and well-being with life,” the researchers wrote in the paper.

The study’s findings are in line with previous studies that found that failure to comply with the rule to wear face masks can be viewed negatively by others. It reveals the other side of therapy behaviors, although stigmatization or discomfort from wearing masks may or may not harm mental health and well-being.

However, the team stressed that wearing face masks alone is insufficient to prevent infection with SARS-Cov-2. Adhering to infection control measures, such as washing hands regularly, keeping social distance and avoiding crowded places, are critical factors to be used in addition to face coverings.

“Our data provides strong evidence that following government guidelines for facial covering is more likely to be associated with better than worse mental health and well-being,” the team concluded.

“This evidence could be a major motivator for continued advocacy by policymakers and compliance by members of the public,” they added.

*Important announcement

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and therefore should not be considered conclusive, serve clinical practice / health-related behavior, or should be treated as established information.