Encouraging COVID-19 vaccination by focusing on anticipated affect: A scoping review

This study reviewed studies of the anticipated affect related with COVID-19 vaccination to understand gaps in currently available studies and practice implications.

We systematically searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, and other multiple databases for English language articles of studies that investigated COVID-19 vaccination related anticipated affects.

We identified seventeen studies. Thirteen studies focused anticipated regret from inaction (i.e., not vaccinated). Other studies focused anticipated regret from action (i.e., vaccinated), guilt from inaction, pride from action, and positive feelings from action. Eleven studies showed that anticipated regret from inaction was significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccination behavior or intention. Three of the 11 studies showed that anticipated regret from inaction was more strongly associated with vaccination behavior or intention than cognitive belief.

Most studies showed that positive associations between anticipated regret and COVID-19 vaccination outcomes. The use of messages that target cognitive beliefs as well as those that appeal to anticipated affect may be effective to promote COVID-19 vaccination. However, most studies employed a cross-sectional design and examined negative affect. Future studies should adopt an experimental design as well as examine positive affect.