Neuroticism predicts national vaccination rates across 56 countries

Abstract

Quite strikingly, there is significant variation in Covid-19 vaccine coverage around the world. Some countries do not progress from around 2-3% while others are close to 100% coverage. In addition to some already known economic, health and sociodemographic predictors, the present research is interested in emotional factors that may predict a significant part of this cross-country variation. We examined the personality factor Neuroticism, which corresponds to the relatively stable tendency to experience negative emotions, anxiety and low tolerance for stress. Results confirm that gross domestic product represents around 50 percent of cross-country variation. Neuroticism added 6 to 9 percent of inter-country variation in vaccination coverage. The results are discussed in relation to the associations between Neuroticism, increased worry, greater attention to Covid-19 related information and confidence, as well as lower vaccine hesitancy.

Obstacles to Biosimilar Acceptance and Uptake in Oncology

“…For example, a recent study revealed that the personality trait of neuroticism (a propensity toward negative emotions such as worry) significantly predicted increased rates of COVID-19 vaccination in more than 4 dozen countries. 62 Specifically, participants with increased neuroticism were more likely to protect themselves against disease (via vaccine), reported greater confidence in their own disease protection, and also demonstrated greater attention to COVID-19-related information. This research suggests that personality differences could play similar roles in patient or clinician decision-making regarding biosimilar acceptance, particularly given the relevant role of characteristics such as self-control or worry in an area of health care that remains mired in safety concerns and obscurity.…”

“…Personality traits may not only influence health-related behaviors, but have also been shown to play a role in dictating health-related attitudes, which may be particularly relevant in the decision-making that governs biosimilar acceptance. For example, a recent study revealed that the personality trait of neuroticism (a propensity toward negative emotions such as worry) significantly predicted increased rates of COVID-19 vaccination in more than 4 dozen countries . Specifically, participants with increased neuroticism were more likely to protect themselves against disease (via vaccine), reported greater confidence in their own disease protection, and also demonstrated greater attention to COVID-19–related information.…”

Self- and informant-reported personality traits and vaccination against COVID-19

“…Longitudinal studies have linked vaccine hesitancy to past measurements of neuroticism but no other Big Five domain [11] and vaccine intention to pre-pandemic impulsivity and psychopathy but not altruism [28]. From the pre-pandemic variations of the Big Five, only higher openness predicted vaccination rates across 48 US states [29], whereas higher pre-pandemic neuroticism predicted vaccination rates across 56 countries [30].…”