Are vaccination uptake and non-uptake influenced by our emotions? An experimental study on the role of emotional processes and compassion.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effects of emotional arousal, emotional competence, emotion regulation (ER), and compassion on COVID-19 and flu vaccination intentions (VI) among the French population. DESIGN: Data were collected online from October to December 2020. Altogether, 451 participants (Mage = 35.8, SD = 16.4) were allocated to four groups. High positive (n = 104) or negative (n = 103) emotional arousal were induced into two groups using pictures and music, and compared against a control group (flu group; n = 116) and a reference group (COVID-19 group; n = 114). All groups completed questionnaires on emotional arousal, ER, emotional competence, compassion, and VI. RESULTS: The findings indicated a significant effect of group on VI, h2=.023, 95% CI [-.002, .09]. The Group*Gender interaction on emotional arousal was non-significant, ηp2=.015, 95%CI [.000, .041]. However, emotional arousal was observed to have a significant main effect on VI, ηp2=.09, 95% CI [.043, .238]. The ER type*Emotional arousal*Gender interaction on ER use was trend, ηp2 = .002, 95% CI [.000, .005]. The emotional competence*ER type interaction on ER use was significant, ηp2 = .028, 95% CI [.011, .049]. Only experiential avoidance mediated the relationship between emotional arousal and VI, p < .018, 95% CI [.015, .18]. CONCLUSION: Emotional arousal impacts VI. High emotional competence only reduces the use of dysfunctional ER strategies.