Table 1 Descriptive data

Explicit mask preference (pre AAT)

2.61

4.30

0.52

4.79

1.55

4.67

Explicit mask preference (post AAT)

2.71

4.37

0.45

5.11

1.57

4.88

Explicit mask preference (averaged)

2.66

4.23

0.49

4.82

1.56

4.66

BIAT d score (pre AAT)

0.18

0.41

0.10

0.41

0.14

0.41

BIAT d score (post AAT)

0.11

0.38

0.06

0.37

0.09

0.38

BIAT d score (averaged)

0.15

0.33

0.08

0.32

0.11

0.32

Avoidance bias for unmasked faces

2 ms

51

4 ms

67

3 ms

59

Covid 19 Anxiety Syndrome Scale (C-19 ASS) scores

2.00

0.88

1.83

0.89

1.91

0.89

Mask effectiveness

5.94

1.08

6.04

1.14

5.99

1.11

Aesthetic appeal

3.62

1.42

2.91

1.43

3.26

1.46

Mask-related worrying

2.74

1.17

3.20

1.29

2.97

1.25

Communication difficulties

3.52

1.45

4.67

1.41

4.10

1.54