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Zher-Wen, Zhen S, Yu R. Moral characteristics predicting COVID-19 vaccination. J Pers 2024; 92:820-836. [PMID: 37899552 DOI: 10.1111/jopy.12892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The current study aims to assess, for the first time, whether vaccination is predicted by different behavioral and cognitive aspects of moral decision-making. BACKGROUND Studies linking moral factors to vaccination have largely examined whether vaccination decisions can be explained by individual differences in the endorsement of various principles and norms central to deontology-based arguments in vaccination ethics. However, these studies have overlooked whether individuals prioritize norms over other considerations when making decisions, such as maximizing consequences (utilitarianism). METHOD In a sample of 1492 participants, the current study assessed whether vaccination is explained by individual differences in three aspects of moral decision-making (consequence sensitivity, norm sensitivity, and action tendency), while also considering ethics position (idealism, relativism) and moral identity. RESULTS Supportive vaccination (vaccine uptake accompanied by a positive attitude toward vaccines) was associated with utilitarianism (increased consequence sensitivity) and increased tolerance to risks and harm toward others. Meanwhile, although those in the non-vaccinated group was associated with higher harm sensitivities, they neither supported nor received the COVID vaccines (when vaccines prevent harm from infection). CONCLUSION Pro-vaccination messages may be made more effective by addressing perceptions of harms associated with vaccines and infections, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zher-Wen
- Department of Management, Marketing, and Information Systems, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shanshan Zhen
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Rongjun Yu
- Department of Management, Marketing, and Information Systems, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
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Xie Z, Lau JTF, Liang Y, Ouyang Q, Chen J, Lin S, Yao K, Hu X, Lin H, Yu Y, Zeng D. Prevalence and factors of COVID-19 vaccine refusal among solid cancer patients in China: an application of the health belief model. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1236376. [PMID: 37601174 PMCID: PMC10435902 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1236376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction It is essential to protect cancer patients from contracting COVID-19 through vaccination. A majority of cancer patients are recommended by international health authorities to take up the vaccines. COVID-19 vaccine refusal among cancer patients during the pandemic period is under-researched. This study investigated factors of vaccine refusal based on the Health Belief Model (HBM). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among female breast cancer patients, male/female thyroid cancer patients, and gynecological cancer patients in Shantou, China from April to August 2022 (n = 1,115). Multinomial logistic regression analysis adjusted for socio-demographics was conducted to test factors of COVID-19. Adjusted odds ratios of the two models comparing vaccine refusal vs. "vaccine non-refusal" and vaccine refusal vs. ever-vaccination were derived and presented. Results Of all the participants, the prevalence of vaccine refusal, "vaccine non-refusal," and ever-vaccination was 25.9, 22.2, and 51.8%, respectively. In both multinomial logistic regression models, significant factors of vaccine refusal included socio-demographics (age, education level, employment status, monthly household income, cancer type, duration since cancer diagnosis, current treatment status) and some vaccine-related HBM (perceived benefits, perceived barriers, cue to action, and self-efficacy). Perceived severity of COVID-19 was significant only in the vaccine refusal vs. ever-vaccination model. In neither model, perceived susceptibility to contract COVID-19 was statistically significant. Conclusion About ¼ of the participants expressed vaccine refusal. Interventions are warranted. Future longitudinal studies are needed to verify this study's findings. Pilot interventions should also be launched to test effectiveness of interventions modifying the significant HBM factors found in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaomin Xie
- School of Public Health, Shantou University, Shantou, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Joseph Tak-Fai Lau
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Affiliated Wenzhou Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Centre for Health Behaviours Research, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuanke Liang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College (SUMC), Shantou, China
| | | | - Junjia Chen
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Si Lin
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Kaitao Yao
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Xuanyin Hu
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Haoyu Lin
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College (SUMC), Shantou, China
| | - Yanqiu Yu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Health Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - De Zeng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
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Survey upon the Reasons of COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance in Romania. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10101679. [PMID: 36298544 PMCID: PMC9606977 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10101679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: The present study aims to observe the reasons for which the participants have chosen to uptake one of the COVID-19 vaccines approved in Romania. Thus, it will help us to determine whether the reasons are medical in nature, with the respondents’ scope to stay healthy, or if there are other motivations. High rates of vaccine acceptance are essential in the struggle against the COVID-19 pandemic, and trust indicators in other inoculations may be vital for the good management of the vaccination campaign. Methods: The research consisted in applying an online questionnaire in the period January–March 2022 during the fifth wave of COVID-19. The individuals in the target group had to comply with three conditions: they should be inoculated, at least 18 years of age and Romanian residents. The questionnaire was administered to 2297 people and structured to obtain socio-demographic data, determine confidence in mandatory and optional vaccines (rotavirus, hepatitis A, meningococcal vaccine, etc.) and extract the reasons why respondents chose to be vaccinated. Results: The data extracted from the questionnaire reveal a high rate of confidence of participants in the vaccines included in the national vaccination scheme (98.6%) and in the optional vaccines other than anti-COVID-19 (97.2%). Of the respondents, 23.4% had at least one positive test for COVID-19. Although the entire sample is vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the reasons behind the decision to vaccinate are not only medical in nature, thus, 18.3% were motivated by “protecting their own health/protection against the virus”, 17% due to “fear of the disease”, 8.8% for getting back to normal life and ending the pandemic and 8.5% due to government restrictions/vaccination certificate. Conclusions: In our study, we were able to validate the research hypothesis that the reasons for vaccine acceptance are multiple and not only medical (health protection, existing co-morbidities, etc.) and to show that although vaccination has been accepted, some participants believe in conspiracy theories, including those that try to convince people of the harmfulness of the vaccine. In addition, by applying Pearson, Kendall and Spearman correlation tests, we observed that indicators showing high confidence in optional vaccines relate strongly with the decision to vaccinate against COVID-19.
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