Sociocultural determinants of global mask-wearing behavior

Luojun Yang, Sara M. Constantino, Bryan T. Grenfell, Elke U. Weber, Simon A. Levin and Vítor V. Vasconcelos
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Luojun Yang: a Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544;
Sara M. Constantino: b School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544;; c Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544;; d Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115;; e School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115;
Bryan T. Grenfell: a Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544;
Elke U. Weber: c Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544;; f Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544;
Simon A. Levin: a Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544;; c Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544;
Vítor V. Vasconcelos: a Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544;; c Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544;; g Informatics Institute, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands;; h Institute for Advanced Study, University of Amsterdam, 1012 GC Amsterdam, The Netherlands;; i Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2022, vol. 119, issue 41, e2213525119

Abstract: Behavioral responses influence the trajectories of epidemics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) reduced pathogen transmission and mortality worldwide. However, despite the global pandemic threat, there was substantial cross-country variation in the adoption of protective behaviors that is not explained by disease prevalence alone. In particular, many countries show a pattern of slow initial mask adoption followed by sharp transitions to high acceptance rates. These patterns are characteristic of behaviors that depend on social norms or peer influence. We develop a game-theoretic model of mask wearing where the utility of wearing a mask depends on the perceived risk of infection, social norms, and mandates from formal institutions. In this model, increasing pathogen transmission or policy stringency can trigger social tipping points in collective mask wearing. We show that complex social dynamics can emerge from simple individual interactions and that sociocultural variables and local policies are important for recovering cross-country variation in the speed and breadth of mask adoption. These results have implications for public health policy and data collection.

Keywords: epidemics; public health; social norms; institutions; risk perceptions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nas:journl:v:119:y:2022:p:e2213525119

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