The Effect of Wearing Masks on Social Interaction between King Abdulaziz University Students

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered how humans behave, including the widespread adoption of face masks as a public health measure. Using face masks as a protective measure against COVID-19 introduces a new factor in social interactions. Moreover, masks create a physical barrier that may help individuals feel more protected and less exposed in social situations, further mitigating social anxiety symptoms and increasing comfort.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and degree of social anxiety of university-going students who wear masks compared to those who do not by administering a social interaction anxiety scale survey (SIAS).

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah. The study included 154 male and female participants 17-27 years of age who were undergraduate health and medical students at King Abdulaziz University. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23.

Results: Out of 154 participants with face masks, 61.6% (n= 95) participants had a score less than 36, meaning they don't have social anxiety, whereas 38.2% (n=59) participants had a score of 36 and higher, meaning they had social anxiety. Out of 154 participants without face masks, 54.5% (n=84) participants had a score less than 36, meaning they don't have social anxiety, whereas 45.4% (n=70) participants had a score of 36 and higher, means they had social anxiety. Non-significant association (p>0.05) was found between participants who wear face masks and who don't wear face masks.

Conclusion: The study concluded that most participants who wear face masks and those who don't wear face masks had a lower score on the SIAS scale, meaning they don't have social anxiety. No statistically significant effects have been observed between social anxiety and wearing of face mask.