Reactance and Perceived Severity of a Disease as the Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccination Intention: an Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior
BackgroundWe aimed to identify factors that affected COVID-19 vaccination intention within the framework of the theory of planned behavior (TPB). These were variables associated with the TPB, sex, age, perceived severity of COVID-19, knowing someone who was afflicted with COVID-19, and psychological reactance, which was an individual difference crucial for planning strategies to encourage people to get vaccinated.MethodsA total of 551 Polish people answered an online research panel between December 8 and 14, 2020.ResultsWe used structural equation modeling and showed that attitude (utility beliefs) toward COVID-19 vaccination was the strongest predictor, followed by social norms beliefs, and perceived behavioral control. Older age and knowing someone afflicted with COVID-19 led to higher vaccination intention by perceiving higher severity of COVID-19 and higher levels of all TPB components. Being female and having higher trait reactance negatively affected COVID-19 vaccination intention through lower levels of all TPB components. ConclusionsThe results indicate that COVID-19 vaccination intention is directly determined by all TPB components and affected by sex, age, COVID-19-related variables, and reactance. Our results contribute to the scientific pursuit of encouraging people to take the COVID-19 vaccine by suggesting changeable determinants that could be targeted in health campaigns.