» Veröffentlicht am
16. Januar 2023
New Study by Philipp Simon Eisnecker, Martin Kroh, Simon Kühne "The role of generalized trust in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance"
Eisnecker PS, Kroh M, Kühne S (2022) The role of generalized
trust in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. PLoS ONE 17(12): e0278854. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0278854
►LINK
Abstract
Immunization by vaccination is one
of the most important tools for fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet in many
countries, immunization campaigns have been hampered by vaccine hesitancy
within the population. Building on the idea that vaccination decisions are
embedded in the broader societal context, we study the role of generalized
trust—the belief that most people can generally be trusted—in vaccine
acceptance. Immunization campaigns face an inherent collective action problem:
As all individuals benefit collectively from high immunization rates regardless
of individual contribution, especially those with a low risk of severe COVID
infection have an incentive to decide against the (perceived) costs and risks
of vaccination. We argue that generalized trust may help to overcome this
problem by encouraging the belief that cooperation for the common good is
achievable and that those who cooperate are unlikely to be exploited by others.
We further argue that the positive effect of generalized trust on vaccination
decisions is weaker among individuals who are at higher risk of severe outcomes
from the disease, as the collective action problem is less pronounced in this
group. To test our predictions, we used data from the SOEP-CoV survey, which
queried a representative probability sample of Germany’s population between
January and February 2021 on topics connected to the pandemic. Using multiple
logistic regression models, and in line with expectations, we found a positive
and robust link between generalized trust and the willingness to accept
vaccination as soon as offered. However, overall, our examination of
heterogeneous effects does not unequivocally support the idea that the role of
generalized trust varies according to individual COVID risk.
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