Ideological differences in COVID-19 vaccine intention: The effects of trust in the healthcare system, in complementary and alternative medicine, and perceived threat from the disease
Monika Lamot
Katja Kerman- 1Department of Sociology, University of Maribor, Slovenia
- 2Department of Psychology, University of Maribor, Slovenia
Introduction: Politically left-leaning individuals are more likely to get vaccinated against COVID-19, although little is known about the mechanisms underlying the ideological differences in vaccination intentions. Understanding the extent to which trust in the healthcare system, in complementary and alternative medicine, and the perceived threat from the disease contribute to these disparities is crucial, as it could inform targeted interventions to address vaccine hesitancy across the political spectrum.
Method: The present cross-sectional study conducted among adults living in Slovenia (n = 858) examined the mediating role of trust in the healthcare system, trust in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and the perceived threat from the virus on COVID-19 vaccination intention.
Results: We found that leftist ideology and trust in the healthcare system positively predicted, vaccination intention, whereas CAM negatively predicted this intention. In addition, left-leaning individuals expressed greater trust in the healthcare system and lower trust in CAM, resulting in higher levels of COVID-19 vaccination intention. The serial mediation model confirmed that trust in CAM was a negative predictor, while trust in the healthcare system positively predicted perceived threat.
Discussion: When dealing with vaccine hesitancy among right-oriented individuals, special consideration should be given to trust in CAM and in the healthcare system.
Keywords: Vaccine hesitancy, political ideology, perceived threat, Trust in the healthcare system, complementary and alternative medicine
Received: 03 Nov 2023;
Accepted: 08 Jan 2024.
Copyright: © 2024 Lamot, Kerman and Kirbiš. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Dr. Andrej Kirbiš, University of Maribor, Department of Sociology, Maribor, Slovenia