Are parents more willing to vaccinate their children than themselves?

Tang, M. Y., Shahab, L., Robb, K. A. and Gardner, B. (2016) Are parents more willing to vaccinate their children than themselves? Journal of Health Psychology, 21(5), pp. 781-787. (doi: 10.1177/1359105314539527) (PMID:24984715)

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Abstract

Risk perception studies have focused on personal risks; yet many decisions are taken for others. Some studies have suggested that parents are especially sensitive to risks to their children. We compared 245 parents’ willingness to vaccinate their child versus themselves in nine hypothetical scenarios relating to influenza strains. Scenarios varied according to non-vaccination risk (low, medium and high) and ‘risk target’ (oneself, one’s child or, as a comparator, one’s elderly parent). Participants were more willing to vaccinate their child (61% acceptance) than themselves (54%) or their parent (56%). Parents may be more risk-sensitive when deciding for their child than for themselves.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Robb, Professor Katie
Authors: Tang, M. Y., Shahab, L., Robb, K. A., and Gardner, B.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
Journal Name:Journal of Health Psychology
Publisher:SAGE Publications
ISSN:1359-1053
ISSN (Online):1461-7277
Published Online:01 July 2014
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2014 The Authors
First Published:First published in Journal of Health Psychology 21(5): 781-787
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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