Predicting college students' COVID-19 vaccination behavior: an application of the extended parallel process model

Area of Science:

• Health Communication
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• The Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) is a key theory in health communication.
• Understanding factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Extended Parallel Process Model's (EPPM) predictive power for college students' COVID-19 vaccination behavior.
• To identify EPPM-related reasons behind COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among college students.

Main Methods:

• Study 1: A longitudinal study measuring EPPM constructs and subsequent vaccination behavior.
• Study 2: A cross-sectional survey assessing EPPM-related reasons for vaccine hesitancy.

Main Results:

• Danger control: Perceived threat and efficacy positively predicted vaccination intentions and behavior.
• Fear control: Perceived threat predicted fear, which negatively predicted avoidance behaviors.
• Vaccine hesitancy was primarily linked to concerns about the vaccine's response efficacy (safety and effectiveness).

Conclusions:

• The EPPM effectively explains COVID-19 vaccination behavior and hesitancy in college students.
• Interventions should address perceived threat and efficacy to promote vaccination.
• Addressing concerns about vaccine safety and effectiveness is key to reducing hesitancy.