The Effects of Anti-Vaccine Conspiracy Theories on Vaccination Intentions

TLDR

The studies examined how anti‑vaccine conspiracy beliefs and exposure to such theories affect vaccination intentions. Study 1 surveyed British parents on conspiracy beliefs and intended vaccination for a hypothetical child, while Study 2 exposed participants to pro‑ or anti‑conspiracy information or a control to assess its effect on vaccination intentions. Both studies found that anti‑vaccine conspiracy beliefs and exposure to supporting material significantly lowered vaccination intentions, with perceived vaccine dangers, powerlessness, disillusionment, and mistrust mediating the effect, underscoring the harmful impact of such theories on health behaviors.

Abstract

The current studies investigated the potential impact of anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs, and exposure to anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, on vaccination intentions. In Study 1, British parents completed a questionnaire measuring beliefs in anti-vaccine conspiracy theories and the likelihood that they would have a fictitious child vaccinated. Results revealed a significant negative relationship between anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs and vaccination intentions. This effect was mediated by the perceived dangers of vaccines, and feelings of powerlessness, disillusionment and mistrust in authorities. In Study 2, participants were exposed to information that either supported or refuted anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, or a control condition. Results revealed that participants who had been exposed to material supporting anti-vaccine conspiracy theories showed less intention to vaccinate than those in the anti-conspiracy condition or controls. This effect was mediated by the same variables as in Study 1. These findings point to the potentially detrimental consequences of anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, and highlight their potential role in shaping health-related behaviors.