Exploring adolescents' experiences of continuing to wear face masks during COVID-19 : A qualitative descriptive study in Barcelona (Spain)
Aguayo-Gonzalez, Mariela (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament d'Infermeria)
Leyva-Moral, Juan M (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament d'Infermeria)
Gimenez Diez, David (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament d'Infermeria)
Colom Cadena, Andreu (Institut Germans Trias i Pujol. Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol)
Martínez, Isabel (Institut Germans Trias i Pujol. Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol)
Watson-Badia, Carolina Eva (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament d'Infermeria)
Bordas, Anna (Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Atenció Primària Jordi Gol)
Folch, Cinta (Institut Germans Trias i Pujol. Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol)
Casabona-Barbarà, Jordi (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Pediatria, Obstetrícia i Ginecologia i Medicina Preventiva i Salut Pública)

Data:	2024
Descripció:	8 pàg.
Resum:	Background: The COVID-19 pandemic prompted the use of face masks as a social distancing measure. Although evidence supports their effectiveness in preventing infection, it remains unclear why some adolescents choose to continue wearing them postpandemic, even when it is no longer mandatory. This study aims to explore adolescents' experiences of wearing face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic when their use was no longer mandatory. Method: In this exploratory qualitative study, data were collected from 16 adolescents through face-to-face semistructured interviews. The participants were asked about the reasons and feelings associated with continuing to wear masks, as well as the contexts in which they felt safe without a mask. The collected data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis. Results: Three main themes were identified: (1) Navigating complex decision-making: balancing safety and self-image, (2) peer influence dynamics and (3) managing the future: weather dynamics and pandemic evolution. Discussion: The potential implications of withdrawing COVID-19 preventive measures, such as mask-wearing, beyond the pandemic remain understudied. It is crucial to further investigate the perceptions related to wearing masks and its cessation, especially amongst vulnerable individuals. Patient or Public Contribution: Due to methodological constraints associated with participants' age, they were not engaged in the design, data analysis, data interpretation or manuscript preparation phases of the study.
Nota:	Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UAB
Drets:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Llengua:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Matèria:	Adolescents ; COVID-19 ; Face masks ; Qualitative research
Publicat a:	Health Expectations, Vol. 27 Núm. 2 (2024) , ISSN 1369-7625

DOI: 10.1111/hex.14014
PMID: 38477220

8 p, 502.4 KB

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Documents de recerca > Documents dels grups de recerca de la UAB > Centres i grups de recerca (producció científica) > Ciències de la salut i biociències > Institut d'Investigació en Ciencies de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP)
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