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Public attitudes toward child undervaccination: A randomized experiment on evaluations, stigmatizing orientations, and support for policies

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  • Carpiano, Richard M.
  • Fitz, Nicholas S.

Abstract

Child undervaccination is a complex public health problem and a contentious social and political issue. Efforts to increase vaccination coverage require understanding how the public evaluates different reasons for child undervaccination, which may influence attitudes, stigmatizing behaviors, and support for vaccination policies. We conducted a vignette experiment with a United States national online sample (n = 1469) to investigate how and why different undervaccination actions shape evaluations (blame, anger, sympathy, differentness, credibility, dangerousness), stigmatizing orientations (social distance, discrimination), and support for particular policies (e.g., research funding, belief exemptions, fines). Each participant was randomly assigned to read one of four vignettes that described a mother who either refused vaccines, delayed vaccines, encountered social barriers to obtaining vaccines, or was up-to-date on vaccines for her child. Compared to the up-to-date condition, each undervaccination action predicted significantly more negative evaluations and stigmatizing orientations. Vaccine refusal was the most negatively appraised. Differences in social distance and discrimination were explained by negative evaluations about the parent. These evaluations and orientations predicted support for a range of policies. Negative parental evaluations were associated with increased support for more severe policies. We discuss the implications of these findings for addressing undervaccination and informing health scholarship on stigma.

Suggested Citation

  • Carpiano, Richard M. & Fitz, Nicholas S., 2017. "Public attitudes toward child undervaccination: A randomized experiment on evaluations, stigmatizing orientations, and support for policies," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 127-136.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:185:y:2017:i:c:p:127-136
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.05.014
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Acar-Burkay, Sinem & Cristian, Daniela-Carmen, 2022. "Cognitive underpinnings of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
    3. Eric Filice & Eve Dubé & Janice E Graham & Noni E MacDonald & Julie A Bettinger & Devon Greyson & Shannon MacDonald & S Michelle Driedger & Greg Kawchuk & Samantha B Meyer, 2020. "Vaccination discourses among chiropractors, naturopaths and homeopaths: A qualitative content analysis of academic literature and Canadian organizational webpages," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(8), pages 1-24, August.
    4. Kellner, Adrian & Martinussen, Pål Erling & Feiring, Eli, 2023. "Don't stand so close to me: Perceptions of others’ compliance with COVID-19 recommendations and support for strict policy measures in Norway," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).
    5. repec:beo:swcetp:23-03 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Ivana Unukić & Sofija Turjak & Juraj Rašić, 2023. "Attitudes Towards Science And Technology Among European Union Citizens," Shaping Post-COVID World – Challenges for Economic Theory and Policy, in: Aleksandra Praščević & Miomir Jakšić & Mihail Arandarenko & Dejan Trifunović & Milutin Ješić (ed.),Shaping Post-COVID World – Challenges for Economic Theory and Policy, chapter 3, pages 47-66, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Belgrade.
    7. Reich, Jennifer A., 2020. "“We are fierce, independent thinkers and intelligent”: Social capital and stigma management among mothers who refuse vaccines," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
    8. Callaghan, Timothy & Motta, Matthew & Sylvester, Steven & Lunz Trujillo, Kristin & Blackburn, Christine Crudo, 2019. "Parent psychology and the decision to delay childhood vaccination," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 238(C), pages 1-1.
    9. Motta, Matthew & Callaghan, Timothy & Sylvester, Steven, 2018. "Knowing less but presuming more: Dunning-Kruger effects and the endorsement of anti-vaccine policy attitudes," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 274-281.

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