Psychological science and its societal mission during the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic: The Motivation Barometer as an evidence‐informed policy instrument in Belgium

Vansteenkiste, Maarten; Waterschoot, Joachim; Morbée, Sofie; Van Oost, Pascaline; Schmitz, Mathias; Klein, Olivier; Luminet, Olivier; Yzerbyt, Vincent; Van den Bergh, Omer

doi:10.1111/sipr.12101

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 107 publications

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“…Individuals adhere to these measures for a variety of reasons. One way to account for the underlying motivations is through the lens of self-determination theory (SDT [38,39]), which has seen limited use within the context of a pandemic. In contrast to the socio-cognitive models mentioned earlier, which have primarily relied on quantitative perspectives (e.g., assessing the degree of personal control), SDT adopts qualitative distinctions among different types of motivation.…”

Section: Predictors Of Health Behaviorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Instead, it is advisable to provide concrete and objective information about the risks of infections and potential consequences of illnesses [32]. Importantly, policymakers should use an autonomy-supportive communication style by being empathic, highlighting the relevance and necessity of (stringent) measures, treating citizens as responsible and benevolent agents, and using noncontrolling language to preserve the PLOS ONE population's volitional commitment to policy-based measures (for additional recommendations, see [39]).…”

Section: Implications and Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Predicting health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study

Wollast,

Schmitz,

Bigot

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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We investigated the social, emotional, and cognitive predictors of adherence to four health behaviors (handwashing, mask wearing, social contact limitations, and physical distancing) during one critical phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected data (N = 5803, mean age = 53; 57% women) in Belgium at five time points between April and July 2021, a time during which infections evolved from high (third wave of the pandemic) to low numbers of COVID-19 cases. The results show that the social, emotional, and cognitive predictors achieved high levels of explained variance (R2 > .60). In particular, the central components of behavioral change (attitudes, intentions, control, habits, norms, and risk) were the strongest and most consistent predictors of health behaviors over time. Likewise, autonomous motivation and empathetic emotions (e.g., attentive, compassionate) had a positive impact on health behavior adherence, whereas it was the opposite for lively emotions (e.g., active, enthusiastic). These results offer policymakers actionable insights into the most potent and stable factors associated with health behaviors, equipping them with effective strategies to curtail the spread of future infectious diseases.

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Section: Predictors Of Health Behaviorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Implications and Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predicting health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study

Wollast,

Schmitz,

Bigot

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

Self Cite

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“…First, we explored how (dis)trust in medical institutions, support for CAM, and beliefs regarding the role that nature ('environmental laissez-faire beliefs') and God or a superior entity ('beliefs in divine providence') play in the unfolding of pandemic events are related to COVID-19 vaccination intentions. Second, we sought to understand how these effects relationships emerge, thereby examining the underlying associated motivational mechanisms (Vansteenkiste et al, 2024).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

When views about alternative medicine, nature and god come in the way of people's vaccination intentions

Van Oost,

Schmitz,

Klein

et al. 2024

Euro J Social Psych

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In spite of the safety and efficiency of the COVID‐19 vaccines and the many promotion efforts of political and expert authorities, a fair portion of the population remained hesitant if not opposed to vaccination. Public debate and the available literature point to the possible role of people's attitudes towards medical institutions as well as their preference for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) on their motivations and intentions to be vaccinated. Other potential ideological factors are beliefs about environmental laissez‐faire and divine providence insofar as they encourage people to let the pandemic unfold without human interference. In three cross‐sectional samples (total N = 8214), collected at successive moments during the Belgian vaccination campaign, the present research examines the distal role of these psychological and ideological factors on vaccination intentions via motivational processes. Study 1 gauges the relation between trust in medical institutions and preference for CAM on intentions to get vaccinated via motivations. Study 2 examined the role of beliefs in the desirability of letting nature take its course (‘environmental laissez‐faire beliefs’) on vaccination intention via motivations. Study 3 tests whether people's adherence to environmental laissez‐faire and beliefs about divine providence are linked to their motivations for vaccination via trust in the medical institutions and CAM. Results show that adherence to CAM has a deleterious effect on vaccination intentions, whereas trust in medical institutions has a positive effect. Both ideological factors pertaining to external control are only moderately related, with environmental laissez‐faire beliefs having stronger effects on CAM, medical trust and vaccination motivations. We discuss the importance of this set of results in light of the growing interest in CAM and the increasing presence of messages appealing to the environment.

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Attitudes toward mandatory vaccination and the COVID certificate as a function of vaccination status and risk perception: A vignette‐based study

Brisbois,

Schmitz,

Vansteenkiste

et al. 2024

Anal Soc Iss & Public Policy

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In January 2022, several vaccination policies were debated to address the Omicron outbreak in Belgium. Considering variability in risk perception and vaccine uptake, this study aimed to understand differences in support and expectations for four scenarios, ranging from relaxed to restrictive vaccination policies, to inform policymakers. Using an online survey, 12,670 participants (46% female; Mage = 45.9, SD = 13.38) reported their risk perception, number of vaccination doses (0/1, 2, 3 doses) as well as their support and several anticipated psychological outcomes for each scenario. Mixed model ANCOVA showed a pattern of preferential support for the relaxed scenario and more positive anticipated outcomes (general well‐being and government appraisals) compared to the restrictive policies, that were treated equivalently. An exception to this pattern was found when people were vaccinated with three doses and perceived high risk. Taken separately, risk perception and vaccination status were not sufficient to drive positive attitudes toward restrictive policies; only their interaction had an effect. Limitations include the self‐selected sample and the vignette methodology. The conjunct role of risk perception and vaccination status should be considered when discussing the introduction of restrictive vaccination policies. These findings inform vaccination strategies management during pandemics.

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Psychological science and its societal mission during the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic: The Motivation Barometer as an evidence‐informed policy instrument in Belgium

Cited by 4 publications

References 107 publications

Predicting health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study

Predicting health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study

When views about alternative medicine, nature and god come in the way of people's vaccination intentions

Attitudes toward mandatory vaccination and the COVID certificate as a function of vaccination status and risk perception: A vignette‐based study

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