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Mask‐Wearing Behavior During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Cross‐Cultural Comparison Between the United States and South Korea
Author(s) -
Chang Hyo Jung Julie,
Min Seoha,
Woo Hongjoo,
Yurchisin Jennifer
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
family and consumer sciences research journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.372
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1552-3934
pISSN - 1077-727X
DOI - 10.1111/fcsr.12416
Subject(s) - covid-19 , theory of reasoned action , pandemic , psychology , face masks , social distance , social psychology , advertising , medicine , business , disease , pathology , virology , outbreak , infectious disease (medical specialty)
This study identified and compared factors that directly and indirectly influenced face mask‐wearing in the United States and South Korea during the COVID‐19 pandemic by applying the theory of reasoned action. The overall levels of attitudes and future mask‐wearing behavioral intention were lower for United States than Korean participants ( N US = 150 and N South Korea = 150). Differences between the groups were noted in the impact of norms and background characteristics on attitudes and behavioral intention. Messages communicating the importance of wearing masks should be tailored to different cultures. Americans should be encouraged to try wearing masks on their own while Koreans should hear about the social benefits of mask‐wearing.