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Zhu DT, Hawken S, Serhan M, Graves F, Smith J, Wilson K. Public attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccine mandates and vaccine certificates in Canada: a time series study. Arch Public Health 2024; 82:32. [PMID: 38468303 PMCID: PMC10926625 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-024-01259-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Since the beginning of the pandemic, numerous public health measures such as COVID-19 vaccines, vaccine mandates and vaccination certificates have been introduced to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Public opinion and attitudes towards these measures have fluctuated in response to the dynamic political, social, and cultural landscape of the pandemic. METHODS We conducted a time-series study consisting of national cross-sectional surveys between November 2021 to March 2022 to evaluate the Canadian public's attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccine mandates and vaccine certificates. RESULTS When examining public sentiment towards COVID-19 vaccine certificates and proof of vaccination measures, there was a shift in responses over time. The proportion of participants "strongly supporting" these measures decreased from 66.0 to 43.1% between W25(Capacity Limits), -W32 (Mask Mandate Removed), whereas "strongly oppose" was the second most common response and rose from 15.9 to 20.6% during this same time period. Concurrently, when examining participants views surrounding mandates, many participants believed that their province was reopening at "about the right pace", which remained relatively stable over time (33.0-35.4%) between W28 (Emergency Act)-W32 (Mask Mandate Removed). CONCLUSION Our study's findings on the public's attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccine mandates and vaccine certificates in Canada may aid to guide and streamline the implementation of future similar public health interventions. Future research should include extended follow-up and a more comprehensive examination of trust in government institutions and polarized perspectives on vaccine mandates.
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Affiliation(s)
- David T Zhu
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Virginia Commonwealth School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Steven Hawken
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mohamed Serhan
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Frank Graves
- EKOS Research Associates Inc., Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jeff Smith
- EKOS Research Associates Inc., Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Kumanan Wilson
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
- O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C, USA.
- Ottawa Hospital, Civic Campus, Administrative Services Building, 1053 Carling Avenue, Box 684, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 4E9, Canada.
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Chambon M, Elberse JE, Dalege J, Beijer NRM, van Harreveld F. Understanding public perceptions toward sustainable healthcare through psychological network analysis of material preference and attitudes toward plastic medical devices. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17938. [PMID: 37864068 PMCID: PMC10589264 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45172-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent and potential future health-care users (i.e., the public) are important stakeholders in the transition toward environmentally sustainable healthcare. However, it remains unclear whether, according to the public, there is room for sustainable innovations in materials for plastic medical devices (PMD). This study explores preferences regarding conventional or bio-based PMD, and psychological mechanisms underlying these preferences. We administered two surveys among Dutch adults from a research panel. Results from the first survey (i.e., open-text survey on attitude elements; NStudy1 = 66) served as input for the second survey (i.e., Likert-scale survey on beliefs, emotions, perceived control, social norms, trust, related to current and bio-based PMD, and health and age; NStudy2 = 1001; Mage = 47.35; 54.4% female). The second survey was completed by 501 participants who, in the last two years, received care in which PMD were used, and 500 participants who did not. Cross-sectional psychological networks were estimated with data from the second study using the EBICglasso method. Results showed that participants preferred bio-based over conventional PMD, and this applied regardless of whether devices are used inside or outside of the body. Results also showed emotions play an important role, with emotions regarding bio-based PMD being strongly related to preference. Furthermore, comparing recent and potential future receivers of PMD revealed differences in preference but comparable relations between preference and other psychological variables. This study shows that receivers' perspectives should not be seen as potential barriers, but as additional motivation for transitioning toward sustainable healthcare. Recommendations for implementation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Chambon
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
- University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Janneke E Elberse
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | | | - Nick R M Beijer
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Frenk van Harreveld
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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3
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Kimbler KJ, Gromer C, Ayala M, Casey B. Correlates of COVID-19 Preventative Behaviors before and after Vaccination Availability. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:501. [PMID: 37366753 DOI: 10.3390/bs13060501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
As the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, various preventative behaviors and eventually vaccinations became available to decrease the spread of the virus. The current study examined a variety of variables (i.e., age, COVID-19-related economic hardship, interpersonal concern, personality, fear of COVID-19, normative beliefs, political beliefs, and vaccine hesitancy) to better understand predictors of preventative behaviors and vaccination status at different points throughout the pandemic. Online questionnaires, administered through Qualtrics, were used to collect data using two convenience samples. One was a small sample (N = 44) of non-student participants before the vaccine was readily available. The other sample (N = 274) included college student participants and occurred after the vaccine had been available to all participants. Results suggest that several variables (i.e., fear of COVID-19, normative beliefs, interpersonal concern, and openness) were consistent predictors of public health behaviors at both points in time and across differently aged samples. Other variables (i.e., agreeableness, extraversion, conscientiousness, and economic hardship) were less consistent with their relationships with public health behaviors. Implications related to both research and public health are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Caleb Gromer
- Psychology Department, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL 33965, USA
| | - Melissa Ayala
- Psychology Department, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL 33965, USA
| | - Brianna Casey
- Psychology Department, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL 33965, USA
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4
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Chambon M, Dalege J, Borsboom D, Waldorp LJ, van der Maas HLJ, van Harreveld F. How compliance with behavioural measures during the initial phase of a pandemic develops over time: A longitudinal COVID-19 study. BRITISH JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 62:302-321. [PMID: 36214155 PMCID: PMC9874881 DOI: 10.1111/bjso.12572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
In this longitudinal research, we adopt a complexity approach to examine the temporal dynamics of variables related to compliance with behavioural measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dutch participants (N = 2399) completed surveys with COVID-19-related variables five times over a period of 10 weeks (23 April-30 June 2020). With these data, we estimated within-person COVID-19 attitude networks containing a broad set of psychological variables and their relations. These networks display variables' predictive effects over time between measurements and contemporaneous effects during measurements. Results show (1) bidirectional effects between multiple variables relevant for compliance, forming potential feedback loops, and (2) a positive reinforcing structure between compliance, support for behavioural measures, involvement in the pandemic and vaccination intention. These results can explain why levels of these variables decreased throughout the course of the study. The reinforcing structure points towards potentially amplifying effects of interventions on these variables and might inform processes of polarization. We conclude that adopting a complexity approach might contribute to understanding protective behaviour in the initial phase of pandemics by combining different theoretical models and modelling bidirectional effects between variables. Future research could build upon this research by studying causality with interventions and including additional variables in the networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Chambon
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)BilthovenThe Netherlands,Department of PsychologyUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | | | - Denny Borsboom
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | | | | | - Frenk van Harreveld
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)BilthovenThe Netherlands,Department of PsychologyUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
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5
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Chambon M, Dalege J, Waldorp LJ, Van der Maas HLJ, Borsboom D, van Harreveld F. Tailored interventions into broad attitude networks towards the COVID-19 pandemic. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276439. [PMID: 36301880 PMCID: PMC9612523 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examines how broad attitude networks are affected by tailored interventions aimed at variables selected based on their connectiveness with other variables. We first computed a broad attitude network based on a large-scale cross-sectional COVID-19 survey (N = 6,093). Over a period of approximately 10 weeks, participants were invited five times to complete this survey, with the third and fifth wave including interventions aimed at manipulating specific variables in the broad COVID-19 attitude network. Results suggest that targeted interventions that yield relatively strong effects on variables central to a broad attitude network have downstream effects on connected variables, which can be partially explained by the variables the interventions were aimed at. We conclude that broad attitude network structures can reveal important relations between variables that can help to design new interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Chambon
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Jonas Dalege
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Lourens J. Waldorp
- Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Denny Borsboom
- Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frenk van Harreveld
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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6
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Volz SC, Rothman AJ. Psychological network analysis of the relations between beliefs about smoking for smokers with and without a recent quit attempt. Psychol Health 2022:1-18. [PMID: 36268688 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2022.2130920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Psychological network analysis was used to evaluate the relations between beliefs about cigarette smoking in current smokers with and without a recent quit attempt and determine if these networks differed in global strength (how strongly beliefs are related) or global structure (which beliefs are related). DESIGN Using two publicly available datasets, the California Smokers' Cohort (CSC; N = 933) and Wave 1 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH; N = 7855), we evaluated differences in global strength and global structure of the beliefs held by current smokers with and without a recent quit attempt. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Strength and structure of networks generated for current smokers with and without a recent quit attempt. RESULTS In the CSC dataset there were differences between smokers with and without a recent quit attempt in global structure and marginal differences in global strength; the PATH dataset suggested small differences in global strength and structure. CONCLUSION The present study suggests that consideration of relations among smoking beliefs may be a valuable contribution to characterizing smoking beliefs when assessing smoking quit attempts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C Volz
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Alexander J Rothman
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Yanit M, Shi K, Wan F, Gao F. Interaction between Health and Financial Status on Coping Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13498. [PMID: 36294080 PMCID: PMC9603478 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The year 2022 started with protests against COVID-19 restrictions throughout North America. These events manifest the fact that some segments of the population are not compliant with the preventive measures of COVID-19, and the reasons of the disobedience against public health regulation remain unclear. The current paper examined the joint effect of financial and health status on people's likelihood of pursuing active coping efforts (i.e., following preventive measures) and giving up coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD We conducted a large-scale survey study in China (N = 3834) in May 2020. RESULTS Our results showed that people with low financial status were less likely to manifest active coping behavior and more likely to give up coping with the pandemic. People's self-confidence in coping with the pandemic mediated this effect. We showed that one's health status could interact with their financial status in a way that healthy people with low financial status would have less confidence in their coping abilities and thus become less likely to pursue active coping efforts and more likely to give up coping with the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS Our results call for policymakers to find more effective solutions for noncompliant groups so that they can abide by the general guidelines in the COVID-19 context and other social crises that may emerge in the future. We suggest that governments should concentrate their support efforts on healthy populations of low financial segments to prevent COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in the future from spreading further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Yanit
- Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V4, Canada
| | - Kan Shi
- The Institute of Wenzhou Development Model Research, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Fang Wan
- Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V4, Canada
| | - Fei Gao
- Marketing Department, Bentley University, Waltham, MA 02452, USA
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8
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Chambon M, Kammeraad WG, van Harreveld F, Dalege J, Elberse JE, van der Maas HLJ. Understanding change in COVID-19 vaccination intention with network analysis of longitudinal data from Dutch adults. NPJ Vaccines 2022; 7:114. [PMID: 36182929 PMCID: PMC9526393 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-022-00533-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Prior research into the relationship between attitudes and vaccination intention is predominantly cross-sectional and therefore does not provide insight into directions of relations. During the COVID-19 vaccines development and enrollment phase, we studied the temporal dynamics of COVID-19 vaccination intention in relation to attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines and the pandemic, vaccination in general, social norms and trust. The data are derived from a longitudinal survey study with Dutch participants from a research panel (N = 744; six measurements between December 2020 and May 2021; age 18–84 years [M = 53.32]) and analyzed with vector-autoregression network analyses. While cross-sectional results indicated that vaccination intention was relatively strongly related to attitudes toward the vaccines, results from temporal analyses showed that vaccination intention mainly predicted other vaccination-related variables and to a lesser extent was predicted by variables. We found a weak predictive effect from social norm to vaccination intention that was not robust. This study underlines the challenge of stimulating uptake of new vaccines developed during pandemics, and the importance of examining directions of effects in research into vaccination intention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Chambon
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands. .,Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 129-B, 1018 WS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Wesley G Kammeraad
- Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 129-B, 1018 WS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frenk van Harreveld
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.,Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 129-B, 1018 WS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jonas Dalege
- Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road, Santa Fe, NM, 87501, USA
| | - Janneke E Elberse
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Han L J van der Maas
- Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 129-B, 1018 WS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Kuiper ME, Chambon M, de Bruijn AL, Reinders Folmer C, Olthuis EH, Brownlee M, Kooistra EB, Fine A, van Harreveld F, Lunansky G, van Rooij B. A Network Approach to Compliance: A Complexity Science Understanding of How Rules Shape Behavior. JOURNAL OF BUSINESS ETHICS : JBE 2022; 184:479-504. [PMID: 35573089 PMCID: PMC9089293 DOI: 10.1007/s10551-022-05128-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED To understand how compliance develops both in everyday and corporate environments, it is crucial to understand how different mechanisms work together to shape individuals' (non)compliant behavior. Existing compliance studies typically focus on a subset of theories (i.e., rational choice theories, social theories, legitimacy theories, capacity theories, and opportunity theories) to understand how key variables from one or several of these theories shape individual compliance. The present study provides a first integrated understanding of compliance, rooted in complexity science, in which key elements from these theories are considered simultaneously, and their relations to compliance and each other are explored using network analysis. This approach is developed by analyzing online survey data (N = 562) about compliance with COVID-19 mitigation measures. Traditional regression analysis shows that elements from nearly all major compliance theories (except for social theories) are associated with compliance. The network analysis revealed groupings and interconnections of variables that did not track the existing compliance theories and point to a complexity overlooked in existing compliance research. These findings demonstrate a fundamentally different perspective on compliance, which moves away from traditional narrow, non-network approaches. Instead, they showcase a complexity science understanding of compliance, in which compliance is understood as a network of interacting variables derived from different theories that interact with compliance. This points to a new research agenda that is oriented on mapping compliance networks, and testing and modelling how regulatory and management interventions interact with each other and compliance within such networks. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10551-022-05128-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malouke Esra Kuiper
- School of Law, University of Amsterdam, Roetersstraat 11, 1018 WB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Monique Chambon
- Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 129-B, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Anne Leonore de Bruijn
- School of Law, University of Amsterdam, Roetersstraat 11, 1018 WB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Chris Reinders Folmer
- School of Law, University of Amsterdam, Roetersstraat 11, 1018 WB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elke Hindina Olthuis
- School of Law, University of Amsterdam, Roetersstraat 11, 1018 WB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Megan Brownlee
- School of Law, University of Amsterdam, Roetersstraat 11, 1018 WB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Emmeke Barbara Kooistra
- School of Law, University of Amsterdam, Roetersstraat 11, 1018 WB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Adam Fine
- School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Arizona State University, University Center, 411 N Central Ave, #600, Phoenix, USA
| | - Frenk van Harreveld
- Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 129-B, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Gabriela Lunansky
- School of Law, University of Amsterdam, Roetersstraat 11, 1018 WB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Benjamin van Rooij
- School of Law, University of Amsterdam, Roetersstraat 11, 1018 WB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- School of Law, University of California, Irvine, 401 E Peltason Dr Suite 1000, Irvine, CA 92697 USA
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Meating Conflict: Toward a Model of Ambivalence-Motivated Reduction of Meat Consumption. Foods 2022; 11:foods11070921. [PMID: 35407008 PMCID: PMC9040712 DOI: 10.3390/foods11070921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of people are concerned about eating meat, despite enjoying doing so. In the present research, we examined whether the desire to resolve this ambivalence about eating meat leads to a reduction in meat consumption. Our model of ambivalence-motivated meat reduction proposes that the pervasive nature of evaluative conflict motivates meat avoidance, and we highlight two potential mechanisms involved: the anticipation of ambivalence reduction through behavioral change, and information seeking for contents that facilitate meat reduction. Study 1 drew on a cross-sectional 6-day food diary with 7485 observations in a quota sample to investigate why meat-related ambivalence arises and to demonstrate the correlation of ambivalence with meat reduction. Two experiments investigated the causal direction of this association by showing that ambivalence-induced discomfort motivated participants to eat less meat when they introspected on their preexisting incongruent evaluations (Study 2 and 3), which was mediated by the aforementioned mechanisms involved (Study 3; preregistered). The studies utilized diverse samples from Germany, England, and the US (total N = 1192) and support the proposed model by indicating that behavioral change is an important coping strategy to resolve ambivalent discomfort in the context of meat consumption. Our model of ambivalence-motivated meat reduction contributes to theorizing on the consequences of ambivalence and the psychology of (not) eating meat.
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Agley J, Xiao Y, Thompson EE, Chen X, Golzarri-Arroyo L. Intervening on Trust in Science to Reduce Belief in COVID-19 Misinformation and Increase COVID-19 Preventive Behavioral Intentions: Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e32425. [PMID: 34581678 PMCID: PMC8519341 DOI: 10.2196/32425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Trust in science meaningfully contributes to our understanding of people’s belief in misinformation and their intentions to take actions to prevent COVID-19. However, no experimental research has sought to intervene on this variable to develop a scalable response to the COVID-19 infodemic. Objective Our study examined whether brief exposure to an infographic about the scientific process might increase trust in science and thereby affect belief in misinformation and intention to take preventive actions for COVID-19. Methods This two-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial aimed to recruit a US representative sample of 1000 adults by age, race/ethnicity, and gender using the Prolific platform. Participants were randomly assigned to view either an intervention infographic about the scientific process or a control infographic. The intervention infographic was designed through a separate pilot study. Primary outcomes were trust in science, COVID-19 narrative belief profile, and COVID-19 preventive behavioral intentions. We also collected 12 covariates and incorporated them into all analyses. All outcomes were collected using web-based assessment. Results From January 22, 2021 to January 24, 2021, 1017 participants completed the study. The intervention slightly improved trust in science (difference-in-difference 0.03, SE 0.01, t1000=2.16, P=.031). No direct intervention effect was observed on belief profile membership, but there was some evidence of an indirect intervention effect mediated by trust in science (adjusted odds ratio 1.06, SE 0.03, 95% CI 1.00-1.12, z=2.01, P=.045) on membership in the “scientific” profile compared with the others. No direct nor indirect effects on preventive behaviors were observed. Conclusions Briefly viewing an infographic about science appeared to cause a small aggregate increase in trust in science, which may have, in turn, reduced the believability of COVID-19 misinformation. The effect sizes were small but commensurate with our 60-second, highly scalable intervention approach. Researchers should study the potential for truthful messaging about how science works to serve as misinformation inoculation and test how best to do so. Trial Registration NCT04557241; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04557241 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.2196/24383
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Agley
- Prevention Insights, Department of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Yunyu Xiao
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Esi E Thompson
- Indiana University Media School, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Xiwei Chen
- Biostatistics Consulting Center, School of Public Health Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Lilian Golzarri-Arroyo
- Biostatistics Consulting Center, School of Public Health Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, United States
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12
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Foad CMG, Whitmarsh L, Hanel PHP, Haddock G. The limitations of polling data in understanding public support for COVID-19 lockdown policies. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:210678. [PMID: 34258021 PMCID: PMC8261221 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.210678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Opinion polls regarding policies designed to tackle COVID-19 have shown public support has remained high throughout the first year of the pandemic in most places around the world. However, there is a risk that headline support over-simplifies people's views. We carried out a two-wave survey with six-month interval on a public sample (N = 212) in the UK, examining the factors that underpin lockdown policy support. We find that the majority of people support most public health measures introduced, but that they also see significant side effects of these policies, and that they consider many of these side effects as unacceptable in a cost-benefit analysis. We also find that people judged the threat of COVID-19 via the magnitude of the policy response, and that they do not use their perception of the personal threat to themselves or close others to guide their support for policy. Polling data only offer one simple perspective and do not illustrate the ambivalence many people feel around lockdown policies. There is also a meaningful risk of public opinion and government policy forming a symbiotic relationship, which impacts upon how effectively such policies are implemented both now, and in relation to future threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin M. G. Foad
- Department of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
| | | | - Paul H. P. Hanel
- Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Colchester, Essex, UK
| | - Geoffrey Haddock
- Department of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
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