Vaccination policy reactance: Predictors, consequences, and countermeasures

Philipp Sprengholz, Lisa Felgendreff, Robert Böhm, Cornelia Betsch

Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

Abstract

Ending the COVID-19 pandemic will require rapid large-scale uptake of vaccines against the disease. Mandating vaccination is discussed as a suitable strategy to increase uptake. In a series of cross-sectional quota-representative surveys and two preregistered experiments conducted in Germany and the US (total N = 4629), we investigated (i) correlates of individual preferences for mandatory (vs voluntary) COVID-19 vaccination policies; (ii) potential detrimental effects of mandatory policies; and (iii) interventions potentially counteracting them. Results indicate that reactance elicited by mandates can cause detrimental effects, such as decreasing the intention to vaccinate against influenza and adhere to COVID-19 related protective measures.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1394-1407
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Health Psychology
Volume27
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2022
Externally publishedYes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 501021 Social psychology

Keywords

  • health policy
  • psychological reactance
  • vaccination mandates
  • Policy
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Humans
  • Vaccination
  • COVID-19/prevention & control
  • Intention
  • Pandemics/prevention & control

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Vaccination policy reactance: Predictors, consequences, and countermeasures'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this