# COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy: The synergistic effect of anxiety and proactive coping

## TL;DR

This study found that low anxiety and high proactive coping are linked to higher vaccine hesitancy for COVID-19.

## Contribution

The study reveals a synergistic effect between anxiety and proactive coping on vaccine hesitancy.

## Key findings

- Over half of participants were hesitant about the vaccine.
- Low anxiety and high proactive coping increased vaccine hesitancy.
- High anxiety and high proactive coping reduced vaccine hesitancy.

## Abstract

This study sought to identify cognitive and behavioral predictors of COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy. Specifically, this study examined the effect of anxiety about developing COVID‐19 and proactive coping behavior on the likelihood of reporting COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy in a sample of adults living in the United States.

An online survey of proactive coping strategies, anxiety related to developing COVID‐19, and vaccine hesitancy was administered in October 2020 to 534 adults aged 21–79‐years old. Age, gender, race, self‐rated health, years of education, COVID‐19 knowledge, and perceived constraints were included as covariates.

Over half of the study participants (56.7%) were COVID‐19 vaccine hesitant. People who were less anxious about developing COVID‐19 were more likely to be vaccine hesitant. A statistically significant COVID‐19 anxiety × proactive coping interaction showed the odds of vaccine hesitancy was highest among individuals with low anxiety about developing COVID‐19 and high proactive coping, whereas vaccine hesitancy was lowest among individuals with high COVID‐19 anxiety and high proactive coping.

Results support a future‐oriented approach to public health outreach efforts regarding COVID‐19 vaccines. Improvement of proactive coping skills and emphasis on the likelihood of contracting COVID‐19 may be more effective in increasing vaccine uptake than simply restating scientific facts regarding safety or efficacy.