Pro-vaccine and anti-vaccine groups. Social distance and self-assessment of scientific skills

The social distance scale developed by Bogardus decades ago, which allows us to measure levels of acceptance among members of diverse social, ethnic, or racial groups, has been widely used in different contexts. The objective of this study is to evaluate the social distance accepted by pro-vaccine and anti-vaccine groups. Following the principle of the Bogardus scale, a questionnaire was created regarding different degrees of closeness. Respondents also completed a scientific skills self-assessment. The population consisted of 193 people who declared themselves in favor of vaccination and 41 people who declared themselves against it. Statistical tests show significant differences regarding the acceptance of the out-group; the anti-vaccine group expressed less prejudice toward the pro-vaccine group than the pro group did toward the anti group. No difference is noted in the self-assessment of scientific skills. The results are discussed with regard to elements of the literature.