Understanding the relations of social dominance orientation, right-wing authoritarianism, and vaccination outcomes: applying a multidimensional conceptualization of vaccine hesitancy.

Abstract

Background: Individuals with conservative political orientations are more hesitant toward vaccines, resulting in calls to explore individual differences that explain these relations. We heed these calls and investigate two individual differences known to relate to conservative political orientations: social dominance orientation (SDO) and right-wing authoritarianism (RWA). We test whether dimensions from a multidimensional conceptualization of vaccine hesitancy mediate the relations of SDO and RWA with vaccination outcomes.

Method: We conduct a time-separated survey study with each wave separated by one week (n = 227).

Results: When tested together, RWA (all P < .01) but not SDO (all P > .05) significantly relates to vaccination willingness, receipt, and word-of-mouth (sharing of vaccine [dis]information). Two vaccine hesitancy dimensions mediated the relations between RWA and vaccination outcomes, the first reflecting perceptions that vaccines are dangerous (P < .05 for 6 of 7 outcomes) and the second reflecting perceptions that vaccines are not needed if healthy (P < .05 for 5 of 7 outcomes).

Conclusion: We utilize these findings to identify relevant theoretical perspectives that may guide research on the study of individual differences and vaccination outcomes, and we highlight that these two vaccine hesitancy dimensions may be key explanatory mechanisms in understanding vaccination outcomes.