Public responses to COVID-19 mask mandates: examining pro and anti-Mask anger in tweets before and after state-level mandates

Stephen A. Rains, Philip Harber, Echo L. Warner, Gondy Leroy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Governmental mandates requiring mask wearing in public spaces to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus have been controversial in the United States. We test theory related to anger and anger expression in the context of posts about masks appearing on Twitter during a 12-week period in which mask mandates were adopted in 18 states. The results were consistent with an appraisal of mandates as providing protection from harm. Pro-mask anger directed at others for not wearing masks increased following the imposition of mandates among tweets originating from states with a mandate. In states without a mandate, pro-mask anger similarly increased over time as additional state mandates were adopted across the country.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)539-557
Number of pages19
JournalCommunication Monographs
Volume89
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022

Keywords

  • Anger
  • COVID-19
  • health communication
  • mask
  • mask mandates
  • moral emotions
  • psychological reactance theory

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Communication
  • Language and Linguistics

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