A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Trait reactance as psychological motivation to reject vaccination: Two longitudinal studies and one experimental study
Authors: Soveri Anna, Linda C. Karlsson, Karl O. Mäki, Holford Dawn, Fasce Angelo, Schmid Philipp, Antfolk Jan, Karlsson Linnea, Karlsson Hasse, Nolvi Saara, Karukivi Max, Lindfelt Mikael, Lewandowsky Stephan
Publisher: Wiley
Publication year: 2024
Journal: Applied psychology: Health and well-being
Journal name in source: Applied psychology. Health and well-being
Journal acronym: Appl Psychol Health Well Being
Volume: 16
Issue: 2
First page : 597
Last page: 614
ISSN: 1758-0854
eISSN: 1758-0854
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12506
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12506
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/181865865
Anti-science attitudes can be resilient to scientific evidence if they are rooted in psychological motives. One such motive is trait reactance, which refers to the need to react with opposition when one's freedom of choice has been threatened. In three studies, we investigated trait reactance as a psychological motivation to reject vaccination. In the longitudinal studies (n = 199; 293), we examined if trait reactance measured before the COVID-19 pandemic was related to people's willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19 up to 2 years later during the pandemic. In the experimental study (n = 398), we tested whether trait reactance makes anti-vaccination attitudes more resistant to information and whether this resistance can be mitigated by framing the information to minimize the risk of triggering state reactance. The longitudinal studies showed that higher trait reactance before the COVID-19 pandemic was related to lower willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Our experimental study indicated that highly reactant individuals' willingness to vaccinate was unaffected by the amount and framing of the information provided. Trait reactance has a strong and durable impact on vaccination willingness. This highlights the importance of considering the role of trait reactance in people's vaccination-related decision-making.
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