The Mediating Roles of Medical Mistrust, Knowledge, Confidence and Complacency of Vaccines in the Pathways from Conspiracy Beliefs to Vaccine Hesitancy

Background: Vaccine hesitancy, associated with medical mistrust, confidence, complacency and knowledge of vaccines, presents an obstacle to the campaign against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The relationship between vaccine hesitancy and conspiracy beliefs may be a key determinant of the success of vaccination campaigns. This study provides a conceptual framework to explain the impact of pathways from conspiracy beliefs to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy with regard to medical mistrust, confidence, complacency and knowledge of vaccines. Methods: A non-probability study was conducted with 1015 respondents between 17 April and 28 May 2021. Conspiracy beliefs were measured using the coronavirus conspiracy scale of Coronavirus Explanations, Attitudes, and Narratives Survey (OCEANS), and vaccine conspiracy beliefs scale. Medical mistrust was measured using the Oxford trust in doctors and developers questionnaire, and attitudes to doctors and medicine scale. Vaccine confidence and complacency were measured using the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine confidence and complacency scale. Knowledge of vaccines was measured using the vaccination knowledge scale. Vaccine hesitancy was measured using the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy scale. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to evaluate the measurement models for conspiracy beliefs, medical mistrust, confidence, complacency, and knowledge of vaccines and vaccine hesitancy. The structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was used to analyze the direct and indirect pathways from conspiracy beliefs to vaccine hesitancy. Results: Of the 894 (88.1%) respondents who were willing to take the COVID-19 vaccine without any hesitancy, the model fit with the CFA models for conspiracy beliefs, medical mistrust, confidence, complacency and knowledge of vaccines, and vaccine hesitancy was deemed acceptable. Conspiracy beliefs had significant direct (β = 0.294), indirect (β = 0.423) and total (β = 0.717) effects on vaccine hesitancy; 41.0% of the total effect was direct, and 59.0% was indirect. Conspiracy beliefs significantly predicted vaccine hesitancy by medical mistrust (β = 0.210), confidence and complacency (β = 0.095), knowledge (β = 0.079) of vaccines, explaining 29.3, 11.0, and 13.2% of the total effects, respectively. Conspiracy beliefs significantly predicted vaccine hesitancy through the sequential mediation of knowledge of vaccines and medical mistrust (β = 0.016), explaining 2.2% of the total effects. Conspiracy beliefs significantly predicted vaccine hesitancy through the sequential mediation of confidence and complacency, and knowledge of vaccines (β = 0.023), explaining 3.2% of the total effects. The SEM approach indicated an acceptable model fit (χ2/df = 2.464, RMSEA = 0.038, SRMR = 0.050, CFI = 0.930, IFI = 0.930). Conclusions: The sample in this study showed lower vaccine hesitancy, and this study identified pathways from conspiracy beliefs to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in China. Conspiracy beliefs had direct and indirect effects on vaccine hesitancy, and the indirect association was determined through medical mistrust, confidence, complacency, and knowledge of vaccines. In addition, both direct and indirect pathways from conspiracy beliefs to vaccine hesitancy were identified as intervention targets to reduce COVID–19 vaccine hesitancy.

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Body Mass Index Moderates Brain Dynamics and Executive Function: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

10.52294/8944e106-c54b-40d7-a620-925f7b074f99 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lauren Kupis ◽

Zachary T. Goodman ◽

Salome Kornfeld ◽

Celia Romero ◽

Bryce Dirks ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Executive Function ◽

Body Mass ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Model Fit ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Brain Dynamics ◽

Latent Factors ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Obesity is associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes. Being overweight/obese is also associated with executive functioning impairments and structural changes in the brain. However, the impact of body mass index (BMI) on the relationship between brain dynamics and executive function (EF) is unknown. The goal of the study was to assess the modulatory effects of BMI on brain dynamics and EF. A large sample of publicly available neuroimaging and neuropsychological assessment data collected from 253 adults (18–45 years; mean BMI 26.95 kg/m2 ± 5.90 SD) from the Nathan Kline Institute (NKI) were included (http://fcon_1000.projects.nitrc.org/indi/enhanced/). Participants underwent resting-state functional MRI and completed the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) test battery (1). Time series were extracted from 400 brain nodes and used in a co-activation pattern (CAP) analysis. Dynamic CAP metrics including dwell time (DT), frequency of occurrence, and transitions were computed. Multiple measurement models were compared based on model fit with indicators from the D-KEFS assigned a priori (shifting, inhibition, and fluency). Multiple structural equation models were computed with interactions between BMI and the dynamic CAP metrics predicting the three latent factors of shifting, inhibition, and fluency while controlling for age, sex, and head motion. Models were assessed for the main effects of BMI and CAP metrics predicting the latent factors. A three-factor model (shifting, inhibition, and fluency) resulted in the best model fit. Significant interactions were present between BMI and CAP 2 (lateral frontoparietal (L-FPN), medial frontoparietal (M-FPN), and limbic nodes) and CAP 5 (dorsal frontoparietal (D-FPN), midcingulo-insular (M-CIN), somatosensory motor, and visual network nodes) DTs associated with shifting. A higher BMI was associated with a positive relationship between CAP DTs and shifting. Conversely, in average and low BMI participants, a negative relationship was seen between CAP DTs and shifting. Our findings indicate that BMI moderates the relationship between brain dynamics of networks important for cognitive control and shifting, an index of cognitive flexibility. Furthermore, higher BMI is linked with altered brain dynamic patterns associated with shifting.

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Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Portuguese-Speaking Countries: A Structural Equations Modeling Approach

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9101167 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 1167

Author(s):

Álvaro Francisco Lopes de Sousa ◽

Jules Ramon Brito Teixeira ◽

Iracema Lua ◽

Fernanda de Oliveira Souza ◽

Andrêa Jacqueline Fortes Ferreira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Structural Equation Models ◽

Structural Equations ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Cognitive Vulnerabilities ◽

Measurement Models ◽

Validated Questionnaire ◽

Conspiracy Beliefs ◽

Vaccination Campaigns

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (VH) has caused concerns due to the possible fluctuations that may occur directly impacting the control of the pandemic. In this study, we aimed to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with COVID-19 VH in Portuguese-speaking countries. We developed a web survey (N:6,843) using an online, structured, and validated questionnaire. We used Measurement Models, Exploratory Factor Analysis, Exploratory Structural Equation Models, and Confirmatory Factor Analysis for the data analysis. The overall prevalence of COVID-19 VH in Portuguese-speaking countries was 21.1%. showed a statistically significant direct effect for VH: vaccine-related conspiracy beliefs (VB) (β = 0.886), perceived stress (PS) (β = 0.313), COVID-19 Misinformation (MIS) (β = 0.259) and individual responses to COVID-19 (CIR) (β = −0.122). The effect of MIS and CIR for VH was greater among men and of PS and VB among women; the effect of PS was greater among the youngest and of VB and CIR among the oldest. No discrepant differences were identified in the analyzed education strata. In conclusion, we found that conspiracy beliefs related to the vaccine strongly influence the decision to hesitate (not to take or to delay the vaccine). Specific characteristics related to gender, age group, social and cognitive vulnerabilities, added to the knowledge acquired, poorly substantiated and/or misrepresented about the COVID-19 vaccine, need to be considered in the planning of vaccination campaigns. It is necessary to respond in a timely, fast, and accurate manner to the challenges posed by vaccine hesitancy.

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Prior Sensitivity in Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling for Sparse Factor Loading Structures

Educational and Psychological Measurement ◽

10.1177/0013164420906449 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 80 (6) ◽

pp. 1025-1058 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Xinya Liang

Keyword(s):

Structural Equation Modeling ◽

Variable Selection ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Factor Loading ◽

Model Fit ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Model Parameters ◽

Shrinkage Priors ◽

Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling ◽

The Impact

Bayesian structural equation modeling (BSEM) is a flexible tool for the exploration and estimation of sparse factor loading structures; that is, most cross-loading entries are zero and only a few important cross-loadings are nonzero. The current investigation was focused on the BSEM with small-variance normal distribution priors (BSEM-N) for both variable selection and model estimation. The prior sensitivity in BSEM-N was explored in factor analysis models with sparse loading structures through a simulation study (Study 1) and an empirical example (Study 2). Study 1 examined the prior sensitivity in BSEM-N based on the model fit, population model recovery, true and false positive rates, and parameter estimation. Seven shrinkage priors on cross-loadings and five noninformative/vague priors on other model parameters were examined. Study 2 provided a real data example to illustrate the impact of various priors on model fit and parameter selection and estimation. Results indicated that when the 95% credible intervals of shrinkage priors barely covered the population cross-loading values, it resulted in the best balance between true and false positives. If the goal is to perform variable selection, a sparse cross-loading structure is required, preferably with a minimal number of nontrivial cross-loadings and relatively high primary loading values. To improve parameter estimates, a relatively large prior variance is preferred. When cross-loadings are relatively large, BSEM-N with zero-mean priors is not recommended for the estimation of cross-loadings and factor correlations.

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The Impact of Perceived Social Media Marketing Activities: An Empirical Study in Saudi Context

International Journal of Marketing Studies ◽

10.5539/ijms.v11n1p134 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 134 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Maha M. Khan

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Brand Loyalty ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Model Fit ◽

Social Media Marketing ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Future Research ◽

Value Consciousness ◽

Marketing Activities ◽

The Impact

Purpose – The purpose is to investigate the impact of social media marketing activities in the context of Saudi consumers of social media. A research model is developed in this study to examine the relationships. Design/methodology/approach – This research is quantitative and uses the probability sampling technique, simple random sampling. Data is collected through a questionnaire in a survey of 241 Saudi social media users. Structural equation modeling (SEM) with PLS 3 was used with SPSS 22.0 for statistical data analysis. Chi–square and overall model fit indices further confirm the structural model fit. Findings – The results indicate that social media marketing activities significantly influence brand loyalty, purchase intentions, value consciousness and brand consciousness; brand loyalty has a significant statistical impact on eWOM; eWOM influences purchase intention significantly; brand consciousness does not mediate the relationship between perceived social media marketing and brand loyalty, while value consciousness mediates this relationship. Research limitations/ future research – The research is limited to Saudi social media users and this limits the results from being generalized. Future research must be conducted in other countries. Moreover, limited research is conducted with these variables in previous studies. Originality/value – This article is pioneering in that it investigates the effects of social media marketing in the context of Saudi consumers, a topic of relevance for both marketers and scholars in the era of social media. It provides empirical evidence and valuable insights through a proposed model.

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Non-EPI Vaccine Hesitancy among Chinese Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9070772 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 772

Author(s):

Jianli Wang ◽

Yan Zhang ◽

Sigui Long ◽

Xin Fu ◽

Xiaoxuan Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Structural Equation ◽

Online Survey ◽

Vaccine Safety ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Western China ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Chinese Adults ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact

Vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is paramount to curtailing the pandemic. However, the impact of the Non-Expanded Program on Immunization (non-EPI) and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy on vaccine uptake among Chinese adults remain unclear. This study was an online survey performed in Eastern, Central, and Western China between February 2021 and March 2021 using proportional sampling (n = 7381). Adults aged ≥ 18 years were included, especially younger people (aged < 65). Vaccine hesitancy was assessed using the 3C model and relative scales; logistic regression was used to explore the factors affecting vaccination uptake; structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the correlations between variables. Overall, 67.6% and 24.7% of adults reported vaccine hesitancy toward the non-EPI and COVID-19 vaccines, respectively. Participants (66.3%) reported taking the vaccine mainly based on recommendations from medical staff. Vaccine-hesitant participants (60.5%) reported a fear of side effects as the deciding factor in vaccine rejection. Vaccine hesitancy interacted negatively with confidence (β = −0.349, p < 0.001) and convenience (β = −0.232, p < 0.001), and positively with complacence (β = 0.838, p < 0.001). Nonmedical personnel, adults who had previously received the influenza vaccine, and older people had lower vaccine hesitancy than their counterparts. Most Chinese adults have non-EPI but not COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Vaccine safety remains a concern.

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Forced Zero Cross-Loading Misspecifications in Measurement Component of Structural Equation Models

Methodology ◽

10.1027/1614-2241/a000084 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 138-152 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Hsien-Yuan Hsu ◽

Susan Troncoso Skidmore ◽

Yan Li ◽

Bruce Thompson

Keyword(s):

Structural Equation ◽

Structural Model ◽

Structural Equation Models ◽

Equation Model ◽

Model Fit ◽

Model Specification ◽

Simulation Design ◽

Measurement Models ◽

Fit Statistics ◽

Path Coefficients

The purpose of the present paper was to evaluate the effect of constraining near-zero parameter cross-loadings to zero in the measurement component of a structural equation model. A Monte Carlo 3 × 5 × 2 simulation design was conducted (i.e., sample sizes of 200, 600, and 1,000; parameter cross-loadings of 0.07, 0.10, 0.13, 0.16, and 0.19 misspecified to be zero; and parameter path coefficients in the structural model of either 0.50 or 0.70). Results indicated that factor pattern coefficients and factor covariances were overestimated in measurement models when near-zero parameter cross-loadings constrained to zero were higher than 0.13 in the population. Moreover, the path coefficients between factors were misestimated when the near-zero parameter cross-loadings constrained to zero were noteworthy. Our results add to the literature detailing the importance of testing individual model specification decisions, and not simply evaluating omnibus model fit statistics.

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The Role of Career Self-Efficacy on the Effect of Parental Career Behaviors on Career Exploration: A Study on School of Tourism and Hotel Management’ Students

European Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies ◽

10.26417/ejms.v3i1.p143-154 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 143 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Selahattin Kanten ◽

Pelin Kanten ◽

Murat Yeşiltaş

Keyword(s):

Undergraduate Students ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Career Exploration ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Survey Method ◽

Hotel Management ◽

Mediating Role ◽

The Impact

This study aims to investigate the impact of parental career behaviors on undergraduate student’s career exploration and the mediating role of career self-efficacy. In the literature it is suggested that some social and individual factors facilitate students’ career exploration. Therefore, parental career behaviors and career self-efficacy is considered as predictors of student’s career exploration attitudes within the scope of the study. In this respect, data which are collected from 405 undergraduate students having an education on tourism and hotel management field by the survey method are analyzed by using the structural equation modeling. The results of the study indicate that parental career behaviors which are addressed support; interference and lack of engagement have a significant effect on student’s career exploration behaviors such as intended-systematic exploration, environment exploration and self-exploration. In addition, it has been found that one of the dimensions of parental career behaviors addressed as a lack of engagement has a significant effect on career self-efficacy levels of students. However, research results indicate that student’s career self-efficacy has a significant effect on only the self-exploration dimension. On the other hand, career self-efficacy has a partial mediating role between lack of engagement attitudes of parents and career exploration behaviors of students.

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PENGARUH PELATIHAN, KOMPETENSI, MOTIVASI DAN KEPEMIMPINAN TERHADAP KINERJA PEGAWAI DENGAN PENDIDIKAN SEBAGAI PEMODERATOR PADA BALAI PENDIDIKAN DAN PELATIHAN APARATUR KEMENTERIAN KELAUTAN DAN PERIKANAN

Eqien: Jurnal Ekonomi dan Bisnis ◽

10.34308/eqien.v5i2.59 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 37-49

Author(s):

Wahyu Yulianto

Keyword(s):

Job Satisfaction ◽

Performance Appraisal ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Primary Data ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Training Centre ◽

Competence Motivation ◽

The Impact ◽

Mediator Variable

The study purpose is to analyse the impact of training, competence, motivation and leadership towards performance either directly or through job satisfaction as a mediator variable. As many as 55 staff are considered as respondents in this research, and census method is used as the sampling method. Primary data in this study were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using Likert Scale. Secondary data are obtained from the organization structure Sukamandi Apparatus Training Centre (BDA), performance appraisal, staff attendance, information system and personnel management. Structural Equation Modeling Analisis of Moment Structures (SEM-AMOS) is used to process and analyze data. This study shows staff with high education, competence and leadership have a significant effect on performance, While the job satisfaction is significant in mediating the influence of training, competence and leadership on performance. Next on the employee with low education, training, competence, motivation and leadership have a significant influence on performance, while job satisfaction is significant in mediating the effect of competence and leadership on staff performance. Keywords: training, competence, motivation, leadership, job satisfaction, performance

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KONFLIK DAN KINERJA KARYAWAN

Jurnal Riset Manajemen dan Bisnis (JRMB) Fakultas Ekonomi UNIAT ◽

10.36226/jrmb.v3i3.162 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 431-440

Author(s):

Santi Retno Sari

Keyword(s):

Leadership Style ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Employee Performance ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Managerial Practices ◽

Research Findings ◽

Job Levels ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship ◽

Practical Implications

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships to which leadership style (task and relations oriented leadership) moderate the impact of conflict on employee performance. Data were collected from 92 employees in different job levels. Partial least squares variance-based structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the relationship in the models. The results showed that task and relation conflict was associated with employee performance. The research findings also showed that leadership styles moderated the relationship between conflict and employee performance. This study offers implications for managerial practices. Practical implications and suggestions described in the paper Keywords: leadership style, conflict, performance.

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The Impact of Service Satisfaction, Relational Satisfaction and Commitment on Customer Loyalty in Logistics Outsourcing Relationship

Journal of Supply Chain Management Systems ◽

10.21863/jscms/2015.4.1and2.006 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 4 (1and2) ◽

Author(s):

Sanjit Singh H.

Keyword(s):

Customer Loyalty ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Structural Model ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Service Satisfaction ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Relational Satisfaction ◽

Logistics Outsourcing ◽

Major Predictor ◽

The Impact

This research explores the impact of service satisfaction, relational satisfaction, price satisfaction, and commitment on customer loyalty in logistics outsourcing relationships in Indian scenario. 254 users of logistics services from India were selected for investigating the potential linkages among the aforementioned satisfaction aspects and loyalty. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test the reliability and validity of the measurement and structural model developed to study the relationship among the linkages. Findings from the study supports that logistics service satisfaction, price satisfaction, relational satisfaction and commitment do influence loyalty positively. The analysis suggests that service satisfaction is the most important antecedent having primary influence in the formation of customer loyalty. Service satisfaction also has secondary influence on loyalty by acting as a strong driver in both relational satisfaction and commitment aspects of the service dimensions. Price satisfaction though positively been driven by service satisfaction, was found to have less significant effect as a predictor of loyalty in this context. The present study suggests that relational satisfaction is the second major predictor of loyalty which also drives commitment. This research is not an end-point but an attempt to establish the linkages and the effect among the antecedents driving the building and retention of good buyer-seller relationship in logistics outsourcing.

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