The use of clothing as a mood enhancer and its effect on mental health in emerging adults in Canada during a global pandemic

Abstract

The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted lifestyles and diminished mental health. It was unclear if emerging adults continued their high engagement with clothing during the peaks of the pandemic. The relationship between clothing, mood, and mental health was also unknown. This study surveyed 574 emerging adults in Canada and investigated how the pandemic had affected both clothing engagement and the use of clothing as a mood enhancer, and how this relationship impacted mental health. The study found that greater fear of COVID-19 predicted and positively correlated with fashion involvement and altering mood through clothing. Individuals reported multiple motivations to enhance mood through clothing, including bolstering the self-concept, self-esteem, and comfort. Therefore, clothing facilitated coping among emerging adults in Canada. No relationship was found between mood enhancement and mental health. Future research is encouraged to further explore and clarify the relationship between clothing, mood, and mental health.