Dualistic Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccination Intention among University Students in China: From Perceived Personal Benefits to External Reasons of Perceived Social Benefits, Collectivism, and National Pride

Abstract

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways of controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. However, vaccine hesitancy is prevalent, and relatively few studies have explored how variables related to personal and external motives have affected the intention to vaccinate. The present study investigated the association between perceived personal benefits, variables reflecting external motives (i.e., perceived social benefits, collectivism, and national pride) and intention to receive COVID-19 vaccination among university students in China. The interaction between perceived personal benefits and the three factors reflecting external motives on intention to receive COVID-19 vaccination was also examined. A total of 6922 university students from five provinces of China completed a cross-sectional survey. Results showed that adjusting for significant background variables, perceived personal benefits, perceived social benefits, collectivism, and national pride were all significant factors of intention to receive COVID-19 vaccination. Results from interaction analyses also showed that the association between perceived personal benefits and COVID-19 vaccination intention was stronger among those with lower levels of national pride. Findings highlighted the important role of self-directed interest and external motives in promoting uptake of COVID-19 vaccination.

Patterns and influencing factors of COVID-19 vaccination willingness among college students in China

“…Learning about rate of vaccine hesitancy and influencing factors will be useful in encouraging more people to consider getting the vaccination and promoting COVID-19 vaccination progress [35] . The number of participants included in this study was also much higher than previous studies [26] .…”

“…Compared to other subgroups, college students often live and study in crowded surroundings and respond more quickly to public health issues; therefore, their attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines could be different from other groups of individuals [24] . Previous studies also reported that the acceptance rates of COVID-19 vaccine among university students in China ranged from 36.4% to 76.3% with large variation [10] , [25] , [26] . A recent study on 2881 college students found that 76.3% college students were willing to accept a COVID-19 vaccine in the future [10] , but this study didn’t clarify the vaccine hesitant subgroup and the associated factors, which was considered as a major threat to global health [27] .…”

Levels and factors derived from the Health Action Process Approach of behavioral intentions to take up COVID-19 vaccination: A random population-based study

“…No data have substantiated these contentions and research is warranted. China might be an exception of the above contentions, as it had put COVID-19 under control but yet, very high prevalence of intention of COVID-19 vaccination (91.3%) [37] , possibly because of collectivism that motivated people’s intention of vaccination in China [40] . International perspectives are implicative as the ultimate control of the pandemic requires global immunity.…”

Do Attitudes, Mental Health Status, and Interpersonal Factors Predict COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy at the Early Phase of the Pandemic? A Longitudinal Study in Chinese College Students

“…At present, more than 1.2 billion people in Mainland China have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines, accounting for 76.3% of the whole population ( China Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council, 2022 ). Collectivism culture together with control measures implemented by the local governments may be the key determinants for the success in vaccination coverage ( Melton and Sinclair, 2021 ; Mo et al, 2021b ). However, the personal and interpersonal factors we investigated may also help to understand vaccine hesitancy for other infectious diseases and COVID-19 vaccination in other cultures.…”