The Role of Trauma in Mothers’ COVID-19 Vaccine Beliefs and Intentions
Stephanie Milan,PHD, and Ana Luısa B. T. Dau, MSC Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut
All correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Stephanie Milan, PHD, Department of Psychological Sciences, Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road U1020, Storrs, CT 06269, USA. E-mail: stephanie.milan@uconn.edu Received 31 December 2020; revisions received 30 March 2021; accepted 30 March 2021
Abstract
Objective Research on COVID-19 vaccine beliefs has focused primarily on adults’ intentions to vaccinate themselves; however, many parents will also face decisions about vaccinating their children. In this study, we examine how maternal posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma history relate to mothers’ beliefs and intentions about the COVID-19 vaccine for themselves and their children.
Methods
A total of 240 mothers with a mental health history participating in a parenting study answered online survey questions via Prolific. Questions assessed: (a) trauma indictors (past diagnosis, current symptoms, and lifetime exposure to events); (b) vaccine measures (intentions for self and child, COVID-19 vaccine confidence, general vaccine perceived safety, reasoning about vaccine intentions, sources of influence on intentions); and (c) possible explanatory variables (institutional distrust, negative worldviews). ANCOVAs and regression analyses were used.
Results
When compared with mothers with other mental health diagnoses, mothers with a PTSD history had significantly less confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine and less intent to get the vaccine for themselves or their child. These effects were explained by greater institutional distrust (i.e., significant indirect effects). Mothers with a previous PTSD diagnosis also expressed different reasons for vaccine hesitancy (e.g., less belief in science) and ascribed less influence to healthcare and governmental sources in vaccine decision-making.
Conclusion
Findings highlight the potential utility of a trauma-informed approach in efforts to reduce COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. For mothers with a history of PTSD, addressing institutional distrust, including towards the healthcare industry, may be an important element to consider in the content, delivery, and mode of vaccine messaging. Key words: COVID-19; immunology (including HIV), parents; posttraumatic stress trauma.
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