Parent and Peer Norms are Unique Correlates of COVID-19 Vaccine Intentions in a Diverse Sample of U.S. Adolescents

Abstract

Purpose Recent studies have documented worrisome levels of hesitancy and resistance to the COVID-19 vaccine, including within the adolescent population. In this study, we examined attitudinal (perceived severity of COVID-19, vaccine-related concerns) and interpersonal (parent and peer norms) antecedents of adolescents’ intentions to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Methods Participants were 916 adolescents (ages 12 – 17) from across the United States (47.3% male) representing diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds (26% African American, 22% Hispanic/Latinx; 35% White; 7% Asian American). They completed a survey on their experiences and attitudes surrounding COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccine. Results Parent and peer norms were distinct predictors of adolescent willingness to receive the vaccine. These norms were associated with vaccine intentions directly, as well as indirectly through adolescents’ beliefs about the vaccine’s safety, efficacy, and necessity. Parent norms in particular displayed large effect sizes and explained considerable variance in adolescents’ vaccine intentions. Conclusions Parents and friends – who figure as adolescents’ most salient interpersonal relationships – are key leveraging points in promoting adolescents’ uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine. Norm interventions and family-based interventions may be successful in this regard.

Parents’ and Guardians’ Intentions to Vaccinate Children against COVID-19

“…Although prior studies have considered the influence of social norms and the perceived vaccination status of peers, most have been focused on flu vaccination [ 28 , 29 ]. The only other study to our knowledge to assess the relationship with intentions to vaccinate children against COVID-19 was a direct survey of adolescents themselves, rather than parents/guardians [ 30 ].…”

Increasing Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine Uptake in Pediatric Primary Care by Offering Vaccine to Household Members

“…This supports prior data that have identified factors such as parent and peer norms as particularly salient determinants of vaccine uptake. ( 17 ) It also highlights the important role pediatricians, and a pediatric offices, can play, in line with research that consistently identifies pediatricians as trusted sources for information on the COVID-19 vaccine. ( 16 ) Many indicated “other” as a reason for vaccine acceptance, suggesting more personal or nuanced factors influenced their decision to vaccinate.…”

Levels and determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among sub-Saharan African adolescents

“…Our survey also suggests that parents’, friends’, and schoolteachers’ attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination may influence adolescents’ willingness to get vaccinated. Similarly, a diverse sample of adolescents in the United States showed that parent and peer norms were distinct predictors of adolescent willingness to receive vaccines [23]. Therefore, healthcare workers, parents, schoolteachers, and peers should be leveraged as advocates of COVID-19 vaccines.…”