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Commentary: Physiological and Psychological Impact of Face Mask Usage during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Jennifer L. Scheid

    (Department of Health Promotion, Daemen College, Amherst, NY 14226, USA
    Department of Physical Therapy, Daemen College, Amherst, NY 14226, USA)

  • Shannon P. Lupien

    (Department of Psychological Sciences, Daemen College, Amherst, NY 14226, USA)

  • Gregory S. Ford

    (Department of Physical Therapy, Daemen College, Amherst, NY 14226, USA)

  • Sarah L. West

    (Department of Biology & Trent/Fleming School of Nursing, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada)

Abstract

In this commentary, we discuss the physiological effects of wearing masks for prolonged periods of time, including special considerations, such as mask wearing among those who engage in exercise training, and concerns for individuals with pre-existing chronic diseases. In healthy populations, wearing a mask does not appear to cause any harmful physiological alterations, and the potentially life-saving benefits of wearing face masks seem to outweigh the documented discomforts (e.g. headaches). However, there continues to be controversy over mask wearing in the United States, even though wearing a mask appears to have only minor physiological drawbacks. While there are minimal physiological impacts on wearing a mask, theoretical evidence suggests that there may be consequential psychological impacts of mask wearing on the basic psychological needs of competence, autonomy, and relatedness. These psychological impacts may contribute to the controversy associated with wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. After we discuss the physiological impacts of mask wearing, we will discuss psychological effects associated with wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer L. Scheid & Shannon P. Lupien & Gregory S. Ford & Sarah L. West, 2020. "Commentary: Physiological and Psychological Impact of Face Mask Usage during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6655-:d:412693
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    11. Simone Trevas & Kathleen Manuel & Raja Malkani & Deanna Hoelscher, 2023. "Mask Adherence and Social Distancing in Houston, TX from January to April 2021," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-8, February.
    12. Wioletta Mędrzycka-Dąbrowska & Daniel Ślęzak & Marlena Robakowska & Przemysław Żuratyński & Kamil Krzyżanowski & Anna Małecka-Dubiela & Sebastian Dąbrowski & Katarzyna Zorena & Katarzyna Lewandowska &, 2021. "Evaluation of Capillary Blood Gases in Medical Personnel Caring for Patients Isolated Due to SARS-CoV-2 in Intensive Care Units before and after Using Enhanced Filtration Masks: A Prospective Cohort S," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-10, September.
    13. Simone Donati & Gianluca Viola & Ferdinando Toscano & Salvatore Zappalà, 2021. "Not All Remote Workers Are Similar: Technology Acceptance, Remote Work Beliefs, and Wellbeing of Remote Workers during the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-19, November.
    14. Da Hae Kim & Thi Mai Nguyen & Jin Hee Kim, 2021. "Infectious Respiratory Diseases Decreased during the COVID-19 Pandemic in South Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-16, June.

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