Gendered Perspectives and Pandemic Precautions

1 Gendered Perspectives and Pandemic Precautions XXXXX Student ID: XXXXXXX Swinburne University Online PSY10005: Introduction to Research Methods eLA: XXXXXXX XXXXXXXX Word Count: XXXXX 2 Gendered Perspectives and Pandemic Precautions: A Critical Appraisal of Masculinity and Mask-Wearing during COVID-19 The COVID-19 pandemic saw the universal adoption of face masks in most parts of the world, a simple yet polarising preventive measure. Mahalik et al. (2021) article delves into the intertwining of masculinity and mask attitudes. This subject is pivotal, shedding light on gendered perspectives and their influence on public health behaviours. This critical review will dissect the methodology, results, and implications of the study to gauge its contribution to health psychology. Despite its interesting insights, certain aspects of the research may benefit from further clarification, potentially offering a stronger basis for policy interventions. Summary Mahalik et al. (2021) examined the intricacies of men's attitudes toward maskwearing during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically probing the relationship between these attitudes and notions of masculinity. The primary research question centred on whether perceptions of masculinity and adherence to traditional gender norms influence men's viewpoints on wearing masks. The authors considered that men who align more closely with conventional masculinity standards might exhibit reluctance or opposition to mask-wearing, possibly viewing it as indicative of vulnerability. Mahalik et al. (2021) argued that the act of mask-wearing has not only been polarised but also gendered during the pandemic. Their research indicated that some men perceive masks as constraining their personal freedom or as a display of weakness, while others consider them indispensable for public health. The insights underscore the pivotal role of masculinity in moulding men's perspectives on mask usage, stressing the necessity of factoring in gender and cultural norms for effective public health campaigns. 3 Strengths of the research include its novel exploration of the gendered dimensions of mask-wearing during a global crisis. Mahalik et al. (2021) study is grounded in a coherent conceptual framework, utilising a rigorous methodology to investigate the nexus between masculinity and mask-related attitudes. The evidence and meticulous analysis provided bolstered their assertions. Furthermore, the research underscores the pertinence of acknowledging gender in public health strategies, offering crucial insights into how masculinity may influence health behaviours. However, there are limitations. The study primarily relies on self-reported measures, which might be influenced by social desirability biases. The cultural specificity of the study might constrain the broad applicability of its findings. Additionally, while the focus is on masculinity, the research does not delve into other potential influencers, such as political beliefs or socio-economic factors, which might also shape mask-wearing attitudes. In their conclusion, Mahalik et al. (2021) emphasised the significant sway of masculinity and traditional gender norms over men's mask-wearing perspectives during the pandemic. They contended that public health initiatives should internalise the nuances of masculinity and gender norms when devising strategies to encourage mask usage. They also recommended further exploration of masculinity's influence on health behaviours and the formulation of strategies to overcome gendered hindrances to mask-wearing. Critical Evaluation Mahalik et al. (2021) present a compelling exploration into the nexus between traditional masculine norms and mask-wearing attitudes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their conceptualisation of "mask-ulinity" is both innovative and timely, given the sociocultural implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ideas resonate with the findings of Reny (2020), who underscored the alignment of masculine norms with responses to infectious diseases. While the theme of masculinity's influence on health behaviours is not 4 entirely novel, the specific contextualisation to mask-wearing offers a fresh perspective. Their argument remains consistent throughout, emphasising the complexities of men's health behaviours during the crisis and ensuring its relevance in the broader discourse surrounding the pandemic. To support their thesis, Mahalik et al. (2021) provided actual data that highlighted the relationship between masculinity ideals and mask-wearing attitudes. Their evidence is both pertinent and thoughtfully structured, aligning with Haischer et al. (2020), who shed light on the gender disparities in mask adoption. The study, however, could have benefited from a more explicit acknowledgment of potential counterevidence or alternative viewpoints. While they aptly employ their data, incorporating contrasting perspectives, such as the Neville-Shepard (2021) study of exploration of mask politicisation might have enriched their discussion and provided a more comprehensive analytical framework. Mahalik et al. (2021) adopted a qualitative approach, which, while offering depth, might grapple with generalisability constraints inherent to such methodologies. The analysis appears rigorous, with clear linkages drawn between the data and the articulated conclusions. Yet, the study might benefit from a comparison with Xu and Cheng (2021), who spotlighted individual behavioural nuances during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that mask-wearing attitudes might not be solely a function of masculinity. While the authors have, to an extent, acknowledged the limitations of their research, a deeper look into external variables, like the influence of political rhetoric as noted by Neville-Shepard. (2021) or masks as markers of social identity as discussed by Powdthavee et al., (2021), would have enhanced the robustness of their conclusions. It could be recommended that future research should delve deeper into the interplay of sociocultural, political, and psychological factors influencing mask-wearing attitudes, ensuring a holistic understanding of this pivotal health behaviour. 5 Conclusion In combining the presented reviews, Mahalik et al. (2021) work on "mask-ulinity" emerging as a significant contribution to understanding men's perspectives on mask-wearing during the pandemic. Their qualitative approach provides a deep dive into the complexities of masculinity norms and their implications on health behaviours. Validated by other studies such as Reny (2020) and Haischer et al. (2020), the gendered patterns in health responses become evident. Nevertheless, the article's qualitative nature poses generalisability challenges, a limitation that could have been enriched with quantitative insights, as Xu and Cheng (2021) explored. Furthermore, considering broader societal dimensions, like the political nuances highlighted by Neville-Shepard (2021), would have provided more scope. Ultimately, Mahalik et al. (2021) have enriched the discourse on the interplay between gender norms and pandemic responses, shedding light on an overlooked facet of public health. Their findings underscore the vital role of societal norms in influencing health decisions and emphasise the need for a holistic approach in future health interventions.