The Role of Personality in Vaccination Attitudes: A Replication and Extension

This study is a replication and extension of previous research which demonstrated that individuals who identified as Vaxxers and Anti-vaxxers during the COVID-19 pandemic differ in several personality traits. We aimed to further explore personality trait differences between vaccine supporters and opponents. Our study recruited 219 individuals via mTurk who either strongly supported or strongly opposed being vaccinated for COVID-19. Participants completed measures of HEXACO traits honesty-humility and conscientiousness, locus of control, desirability of control, intolerance of uncertainty, generic conspiracy beliefs, and the Dark Triad. Significant differences were found between the groups on measures of generic conspiracy beliefs and intolerance of uncertainty, in the expected directions. These results suggest that vaccine supporters and opponents differ in key personality traits, highlighting the importance of psychological factors in shaping vaccination attitudes. Examining these factors can guide and inform public health interventions and contribute to greater success in vaccination efforts.