Applying Constrained Choice Theory to Understand Adolescent Non-Vaccination
Research on non-vaccination tends to be framed as a result of specific parenting cultures or as a result of disparities in healthcare access. This project proposes applying constrained choice theory for gender and health to understand non-vaccination to integrate these two fields of research. Using the National Immunization -Teen, 2012-2019 (N=145,945), this study classifies parental reports of the reasons for non-vaccination for three adolescent vaccines (human papillomavirus [HPV], meningitis, and tetanus booster) into similar categories that are associated with varying types of constraints and examines the socio-demographic and vaccine specific differences in reasons for non-vaccination. Results reveal important differences the role of constraint for parents of different socio-demographic backgrounds, as well as the usefulness of considering vaccine specific motivations. Furthermore, constrained choice theory provides a useful framework for both understanding non-vaccination at a national level as well as for encapsulating a broad spectrum of reasons for non-vaccination.