Wearing a mask is one of the simplest things people can do to prevent the spread of Covid-19 – and yet it is a topic that has been heavily politicized in the United States during the epidemic.
U.S. In, 34 states and the District of Columbia wear face masks in public places. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, U.S. More than 85% of adults reported having a face mask in stores and businesses. Yet Americans have turned to violence and protest to deny the mask order. So are the others in the world.
A recent study from Brazil may shed some light on why some people are so resistant to wearing masks.
Researchers at the State University of Londrina found that people who reported “antisocial symptoms” such as low levels of empathy and high levels of stiffness and risk, were less likely to follow Covid-19 prevention measures, such as wearing. Masks and social distance.
In this case, “antisocial” characterizes people diagnosed as having antisocial personality disorder, which according to the American Psychological Association is defined as “a chronic and pervasive tendency to disregard and violate the rights of others.” According to the APA, it is characterized by common behaviors such as frequent violations of the law and exploitation of others, and qualities such as fraud, impulse, aggression, careless disregard for the safety of self and others, and irresponsibility. People with a mental health condition always lack guilt, remorse and empathy.
The disorder is also known as “dysocial personality, psychopathic personality and sociopathic personality”. Antisocial personality disorder occurs in about 1% of the U.S. population, and is more common in men.
The Brazilian study authors wrote, “These symptoms explain that, at least in part, people are not following their control measures despite the growing number of cases and deaths.”
For the new study, researchers surveyed more than 1,500 adults in Brazil for 15 weeks during the epidemic (March 21 to June 29). People completed a questionnaire that was meant to measure different personality traits, such as empathy, toughness, risk-taking, irresponsibility, ambiguity, hostility and manipulation.
Participants also answered questions about how well they adhered to the Covid-19 contest measures such as hand hygiene and social distance. This part of the survey includes a specific question about face masks: “Do you think it is necessary to use a face mask (which protects the nose and mouth) in Brazil?”
So, why do some personality types feel like they can take preventive measures? The study authors suspect that people who have low empathy and antisocial tendencies may have fewer concerns about putting themselves and others at risk. For this reason, they can act in their own self-interest, and participate in behaviors that put others at risk of becoming infected.
Another small Polish study found that people who showed a “dark triad” (a set of three socially disliked personality traits: narcissism, macabrealism and psychopathy) were less likely to follow preventive measures or adhere to restrictions. Interestingly, even those who perform “Dark Triad” believe that they are very sensitive to the virus, but lack the “self-efficacy” to do anything about it.
And U.S. A separate study of adults found that those who exhibited high levels of antisocial symptoms were more likely to support behaviors that “knowingly put others at risk.”
On the flip side, those who feel empathy believe that it is their social responsibility to isolate themselves, practice hand hygiene and wear a mask, the Brazilian study authors wrote.
Brazil has the highest number of Covid-19 cases after the United States, with 3,908,272 cases reported since February and 121,381 deaths. In Brazil, face masks are mandatory until August 21 in public as well as in closed spaces such as commercial establishments, offices, schools and places of worship. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro initially vetoed a law that would require face masks in these places. .
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