Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2025

Social Isolation Model: A Noninvasive Rodent Model of Stress and Anxiety
Published on: November 11, 2022
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: The synergistic effect of anxiety and proactive coping
MacKenzie L Hughes1, Shevaun D Neupert2, Emily L Smith2
1School of Psychology Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta Georgia USA.
Background:
This study sought to identify cognitive and behavioral predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Specifically, this study examined the effect of anxiety about developing COVID-19 and proactive coping behavior on the likelihood of reporting COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in a sample of adults living in the United States.
Methods:
An online survey of proactive coping strategies, anxiety related to developing COVID-19, and vaccine hesitancy was administered in October 2020 to 534 adults aged 21-79-years old. Age, gender, race, self-rated health, years of education, COVID-19 knowledge, and perceived constraints were included as covariates.
Results:
Over half of the study participants (56.7%) were COVID-19 vaccine hesitant. People who were less anxious about developing COVID-19 were more likely to be vaccine hesitant. A statistically significant COVID-19 anxiety × proactive coping interaction showed the odds of vaccine hesitancy was highest among individuals with low anxiety about developing COVID-19 and high proactive coping, whereas vaccine hesitancy was lowest among individuals with high COVID-19 anxiety and high proactive coping.
Conclusion:
Results support a future-oriented approach to public health outreach efforts regarding COVID-19 vaccines. Improvement of proactive coping skills and emphasis on the likelihood of contracting COVID-19 may be more effective in increasing vaccine uptake than simply restating scientific facts regarding safety or efficacy.
Related Concept Videos
Anxiety: Overview
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Horney's Sociocultural Approach
Social Anxiety Disorder
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Coping Strategies: Problem Focused
For example, consider a student who struggles to understand their...

