Psychological reactance and vaccine uptake: a longitudinal study.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Vaccine uptake is often voluntary, but perceived threats to freedom can induce psychological reactance.
• Reactance may lead to vaccine refusal, creating a barrier to vaccination.
• Understanding reactance fluctuations and its impact on vaccination intention and behavior is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate changes in state reactance during a COVID-19 vaccination program.
• To examine the relationship between reactance, vaccination intention, and vaccine uptake.
• To explore reactance's influence on decision confidence regarding vaccination.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal study involving a representative sample of Dutch adults under 60 (N=1411).
• Questionnaires were administered at three time points: before eligibility, before invitation, and after the vaccination opportunity.
• Regression analyses were used to analyze the data.

Main Results:

• Reactance levels remained stable over time, contrary to hypotheses.
• Reactance significantly predicted lower subsequent vaccination intention.
• Controlling for intention, reactance did not predict actual vaccine uptake.
• Reactance was associated with lower decision confidence, except in individuals with strong opposition to vaccination.

Conclusions:

• Psychological reactance plays a sustained role in the decision-making process leading up to vaccination.
• While reactance influences the path toward a vaccination decision, it does not solely determine the final choice.
• The findings highlight the complex interplay between psychological factors and vaccination behavior.