Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy in the United States is currently at a high level. To enable a better understanding of this hesitancy, this study explores the association between affective wellbeing measures and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. We consistently find a positive association between the two, regardless of which of ten different affect state variables (two positive, and eight negative) or their composite, is used. For example, people who experience more worry or anxiety (two negative affect wellbeing states) are less vaccine-hesitant, and vice versa. The association is found to hold even when controlling for potential confounds such as income bracket, political affiliation, gender and employment status. Associations are strongest for the fully employed, and for those in the middle-class income bracket. While consistent at the national level, considerable dispersion is found at the county level. We discuss the implications of these findings briefly.

Date

2021

Authors

Mayank Kejriwal, Ke Shen

Publisher

OSF