Behavioral Intention and Its Predictors toward COVID-19 Booster Vaccination among Chinese Parents: Applying Two Behavioral Theories

Abstract

The booster vaccination of COVID-19 is being implemented in most parts of the world. This study used behavioral psychology to investigate the predictors of parents’ intentions regarding the COVID-19 booster vaccination for their children. This is a cross-sectional study with a self-designed questionnaire based on two behavioral theories—protective motivation theory (PMT) and theory of planned behavior (TPB). A stratified multi-stage sampling procedure was conducted in Nanjing, China, and multivariable regression analyses were applied to examine the parents’ intentions. The intention rate was 87.3%. The response efficacy (ORa = 2.238, 95% CI: 1.360–3.682) and response cost (ORa = 0.484, 95% CI: 0.319–0.732) in the PMT, were significant psychological predictors of parents’ intentions, and so were the attitude (ORa = 2.619, 95% CI: 1.480–4.636) and behavioral control (ORa = 3.743, 95% CI: 2.165–6.471) in the TPB. The findings of crucial independent predictors in the PMT and TPB constructs inform the evidence-based formulation and implementation of strategies for booster vaccination in children.

Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination intention among parents of children aged 5-11 years in South Korea: a cross-sectional study

“…Similarly, Li et al [19] showed that attitudes and subjective norms had significant effect on vaccination intentions, with an explanatory power of 73.9%. The findings of Zhou et al [26] are also partially consistent with the current study.…”

“…In this study, perceived behavioral control had the strongest influence on parental vaccination intention. A study by Zhou et al [26] also reported that perceived behavioral control, rather than attitudes, had a higher effect on parents' intention to vaccinate their children. However, the study partic-ipants scored below the midpoint (3.19 out of 7 points) on perceived behavioral control, which indicates the perceived ease or difficulty of vaccination.…”

Behavioral Interpretation of Willingness to Use Wearable Health Devices in Community Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In this study, with regard to TPB-related variables, the results confirmed that attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control are all internal influencing factors with regard to the willingness to use WHDs. Perceived behavioral control was the most important determinant of willingness, and this is similar to the findings of some other behavioral intention studies, such as in the prediction of intention to screen for cervical cancer in women [ 49 ] and in the research on parental intention to vaccinate their children with the COVID-19 booster vaccine [ 50 ]. Furthermore, perceived behavioral control has also been proved to be the major determinant in several studies on m-Health use [ 44 , 45 , 51 ].…”

Why Some People Are Hesitant to Receive COVID-19 Boosters: A Systematic Review

“…The main drivers for CBVH were fear about the side effects of booster vaccines [ 4 , 21 , 30 , 45 , 47 , 50 ], the severity of side effects associated with previous COVID-19 vaccines [ 26 , 29 , 31 , 34 ], concerns about adverse reactions to booster vaccines [ 6 , 52 ], adverse reactions experienced personally or among friends and family following previous COVID-19 vaccinations [ 5 , 7 , 30 , 52 ], and receipt of medical care following the COVID-19 vaccine primary doses [ 37 ]. Other studies reported uncertainty, risk, and safety concerns associated with booster doses [ 5 , 13 , 20 , 26 , 43 , 44 , 49 , 53 ].…”