Delusion-proneness predicts COVID-19 vaccination behavior

Kasim Acar, Ariadni Karagiannidou, Andreas Olsson, Jan Willem van Prooijen, Leonie J.T. Balter, John Axelsson, Martin Ingvar, Alexander V. Lebedev, Predrag Petrovic*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Introduction: Vaccination-related conspiracy ideation is related to reduced compliance with public health advice globally. Such beliefs have previously been linked to the delusion-proneness trait. However, it is not known how this extends to getting vaccinated. Methods: Here, we examined how delusion-proneness, as assessed by Peters et al. Delusions Inventory (PDI), is associated with COVID-19 vaccination in a sample of 273 subjects. We also examined whether delusion-proneness predicted the time to get vaccinated, after the vaccine became available. Results: Unvaccinated subjects were more delusion-prone than vaccinated subjects (W=2225.5, p<0.001, effect-size=0.27). Among vaccinated subjects, higher delusion-proneness was related to longer time to get vaccinated ((Formula presented.) =0.27, p<0.001). These effects remained after adjusting for anxiety, ADHD, and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) traits as well as for psychiatric diagnoses and sex. Path analyses indicated that the effect of delusion-proneness on vaccination rate was strongly mediated through COVID-19 conspiracy ideation, suggesting that delusion prone individuals first develop specific delusion-like ideas regarding vaccination, which then delays vaccination. An exploratory analysis of written text by subjects instructed to explain why they had vaccinated or not, revealed a difference in reasoning between the groups. Unvaccinated individuals were primarily motivated by concerns about personal safety and potential side effects, while vaccinated individuals stated a desire to protect themselves and others as the primary reasons to get vaccinated. Discussion: Our results suggest that delusion-proneness is a key factor for attaining conspiracy beliefs, at least in relation to COVID-19 pandemic, and associated with lower vaccination rates as well as longer time to get vaccinated.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1450429
Pages (from-to)1-10
Number of pages10
JournalFrontiers in Psychiatry
Volume15
Early online date25 Nov 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2024 Acar, Karagiannidou, Olsson, van Prooijen, Balter, Axelsson, Ingvar, Lebedev and Petrovic.

Keywords

  • conspiracy ideation
  • COVID-19
  • delusion proneness
  • psychosis
  • schizophrenia
  • vaccination

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