Cognitive predictors of vaccine hesitancy and COVID-19 mitigation behaviors in a population representative sample

With the continued threat of COVID-19, predictors of vaccination hesitancy and mitigation behaviors are critical to identify. Prior studies have found that cognitive factors are associated with some COVID-19 mitigation behaviors, but few studies employ representative samples and to our knowledge no prior studies have examined cognitive predictors of vaccine hesitancy. The purpose of the present study, conducted among a large national sample of Canadian adults, was to examine associations between cognitive variables (executive function, delay discounting, and temporal orientation) and COVID-19 mitigation behaviors (vaccination, mask wearing, social distancing, and hand hygiene). Findings revealed that individuals with few executive function deficits, limited delay discounting and who adopted a generally future-orientation mindset were more likely to be double-vaccinated and to report performing COVID-19 mitigation behaviors with high consistency. The most reliable findings were for delay discounting and future orientation, with executive function deficits predicting mask wearing and hand hygiene behaviors but not distancing and vaccination. These findings identify candidate mediators and moderators for health communication messages targeting COVID-19 mitigation behaviors and vaccine hesitancy.