The fear factor: examining the impact of fear on vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs

Jolley, Daniel; Shepherd, Lee; Maughan, Anna

Abstract

Objectives: While anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs can reduce vaccine intentions, longitudinal research shows that vaccine hesitancy can increase conspiracy beliefs. In three experiments (N = 949), we examined the effect of fear about a vaccine on vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs.

Method and Measures: In Studies 1a (N = 221) and 1b (N = 508), participants were exposed to high fear (vs low fear) about a (fictional) vaccine before reporting vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs. In Study 2, all participants were exposed to high fear before being asked to think about not getting vaccinated (vs vaccinated) against the (fictional) disease. Participants then reported their vaccine hesitancy, anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs, and closeness to others who distrust official narratives.

Results: In Studies 1a and 1b, exposure to high fear (vs low fear) increased vaccine hesitancy, which was positively correlated with anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs. The reverse model’s effect was either smaller (Study 1a) or non-significant (Study 1b). In Study 2, fear and not wanting to vaccinate resulted in vaccine hesitancy, which then predicted anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs and feeling closer to those distrusting official narratives.

Conclusion: Therefore, fear creates a response not to get vaccinated. A conspiracy belief may then justify this response.

Citation

Jolley, D., Shepherd, L., & Maughan, A. (2024). The fear factor: examining the impact of fear on vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs. Psychology and Health, https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2024.2381235

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 10, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jul 25, 2024
• Publication Date: Jul 25, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jul 10, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 26, 2025
• Journal: Psychology and Health
• Print ISSN: 0887-0446
• Electronic ISSN: 1476-8321
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2024.2381235
• Keywords: Anti-vaccine conspiracy theories; vaccine hesitancy; emotions; fear intentions
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/37151038
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=gpsh20; Received: 2023-10-10; Revised: 2024-06-11; Accepted: 2024-07-10; Published: 2024-07-25