The Self-Appraisal of Masking Instrument

Abstract We explore mask-wearing behavior during the coronavirus pandemic using the Self-Appraisal of Masking Instrument (SAMI). We situate this survey-based instrument within a theory in which the decision to mask reflects social identity, an associated identity standard, and appraisals that genera...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Measurement Instruments for the Social Sciences
Main Authors: Ray Block, Eric Plutzer
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: PsychOpen GOLD/ Leibniz Institute for Psychology 2022
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s42409-022-00032-3
https://doaj.org/article/8576e9e0fb08405a82b1a533d4951645
Description
Summary:Abstract We explore mask-wearing behavior during the coronavirus pandemic using the Self-Appraisal of Masking Instrument (SAMI). We situate this survey-based instrument within a theory in which the decision to mask reflects social identity, an associated identity standard, and appraisals that generate feelings about oneself. Analyses of SAMI’s empirical properties reveal that masking-specific emotional reactions are distinct from emotional reports related to current events and politics (discriminant validity). We also uncover evidence of predictive validity: expressed feelings about masking predict future voting more than 6 months later. We recommend SAMI to researchers interested in studying mask resistance in an increasingly polarized political climate, and the intuition behind SAMI could prove useful in other research contexts in which health decisions reflect a conscious comparison to standards held by those who share an identity or will otherwise pass judgment.