The Relationship between the Emotions caused by COVID-19 and the Attitude to Use Face Mask among Nursing Students

Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study aims to examine whether emotions provoked by COVID-19 are associated with their attitude about using a face mask.

Methods/Statistical analysis: Data were collected from November 17 to November 22, 2020, for 261 nursing students from two universities in D Metro City. Differences in emotions provoked by COVID-19 and attitude about face masks according to general characteristics were analyzed with independent t-test and one-way ANOVA. The relationship between emotions provoked by COVID-19 and attitude about face masks was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis.

Findings: There were statistically significant differences in emotions caused by COVID-19 according to sex (F=-4.34, p=.000), face mask-related expense (F=2.49, p=.044), determination to protect oneself (F=8.79, p=.000), and determination to protect others (F=3.94, p=.021). There were also statistically significant differences in attitudes about face masks according to a determination to protect oneself (F=28.98, p=.000) and determination to protect others (F=29.68, p=.000). Attitudes about face masks were significantly positively correlated with emotions caused by COVID-19, knowledge about face masks (particularly, correct usage of face masks) (p<.05), determination to protect oneself, and determination to protect others (p<.001). It was also significantly positively correlated with perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, cues to action, and self-efficacy (p<.001). The regression model explained for 20.4% of the variance of attitudes about face masks (F=17.62, p<.001), and determination to protect oneself and determination to protect others were identified as the significant predictors (p<.05).

Improvements/Applications: The results of this study suggest that it is important to change the thinking to protect themselves or others in order to improve the attitude of face mask.