Predicting COVID-19 vaccination intention using protection motivation theory and conspiracy beliefs

Abstract

Background While COVID-19 vaccine uptake has been encouraging overall, some individuals are either hesitant towards, or refuse, the vaccine. Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) has been applied to influenza vaccine acceptance, but there is a lack of research applying PMT to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Additionally, prior research has suggested that coronavirus conspiracy beliefs and demographic factors may play a role in attitudes towards the vaccine. This study aimed to predict COVID-19 vaccination intention using PMT, coronavirus conspiracy beliefs, and demographic factors. Furthermore, vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals were compared in relation to their coronavirus conspiracy beliefs. Methods An online survey was administered to 382 (278 vaccinated, and 104 unvaccinated) individuals in the United Kingdom (77 males, 301 females, one non-binary/third gender, and three unstated). Respondents’ mean age was 43.78 ( SD = 12.58). Results A hierarchical multiple linear regression was performed in three stages. Initially, four PMT constructs - severity, susceptibility, maladaptive response costs, and self-efficacy - emerged as significant predictors of COVID-19 vaccination intention. The final model accounted for 75% of the variance and retained two significant predictors from PMT - maladaptive response rewards and self-efficacy - alongside coronavirus conspiracy beliefs and age. An independent t-test established that unvaccinated individuals held greater coronavirus conspiracy beliefs than vaccinated ones. Conclusions Interventions and campaigns addressing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance should employ strategies increasing individuals’ perceived severity of COVID-19, perceived susceptibility, and perceived ability to get vaccinated, while decreasing perceived rewards of not getting vaccinated. Additionally, coronavirus conspiracy beliefs should be addressed, as these appear to play a role for some vaccine-hesitant individuals.

Joint analysis of the intention to vaccinate and to use contact tracing app during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Consistently with previous studies, results showed that a high perception of risk related to COVID-19 predicts the intention to vaccinate against it 25 , 45 and, to a much greater extent, to accept CTAs 17 , 18 , 21 , 22 . These result are in line with different models, such as the Risk as Feeling Model, according to which feelings and emotions about a specific situation influence people’s behavior who attach an emotional value to a specific situation 46 , or the Protection Motivation Theory, according to which people are motivated to respond to health threats engaging in protective behaviors 47 , 48 . As previously mentioned, COVID-19 related fear, worry, and uncertainty have been found to enhance the adoption of CTAs as measures to help control the spread of the disease 17 , 18 , 21 , 22 .…”

Factors Affecting Young Adults’ Decision Making to Undergo COVID-19 Vaccination: A Patient Preference Study

“…A broader literature has also shown that vaccination against COVID-19 was politicized, and belonging to a political party might affect individuals' decision making for vaccina-tion [30,63]. Conspiracy beliefs also play an important role in persons being reluctant to undergo vaccination [66].…”

A Qualitative Exploration of Perceptions of the COVID-19 Vaccine in the United Kingdom During the Later Stages of the Vaccine Rollout

“…Current research into COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy has explored attitudes and beliefs related to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. [13][14][15] Conspiracy beliefs also occur in a significant minority and are linked to lower adherence to coronavirus government guidelines and a lower willingness to take coronavirus tests or get vaccinated. 5,7 While it is important to uncover psychological factors underpinning COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, 16 most studies are quantitative.…”