Understanding Parental Intentions for COVID-19 Vaccination | JMDH

Introduction

The World Health Organization estimates that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused over 773 million cases and 6.9 million deaths by December 2023,¹ creating significant threats to global health. In the fight against the pandemic, vaccination has proven to be crucial, especially for children and adolescents. Parents’ decisions about the COVID-19 vaccine and how to handle future health crises can be better understood with the help of Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB).² Based on both medical and psychological research, this theory emphasizes the importance of personal attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control in influencing health-related decisions.

As new vaccination-preventable subvariants and illnesses like measles, seasonal influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), have emerged, it is even more important to understand vaccination behaviors. Vaccination campaigns against preventable infections face difficulties due to the concurrent rise in anti-vaccine movements.³ As evidenced by the studies by Yahaghi et al,⁴ Leigh et al et al,⁵ and more recent applications of TPB in vaccine research highlight the importance of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control in shaping vaccination intentions.^6,7 These results are consistent with the larger body of literature, which includes a meta-analysis and systematic review by Limbu et al.⁸ This study aims to combine the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) with the concept of fear of the COVID-19 vaccine to understand why parents choose to vaccinate their 12–17-year-old children against COVID-19. It looks at how three key TPB factors—attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control—influence vaccination intentions. This study plays an important role because it addresses critical factors influencing parental decisions in the context of pandemic management.

Materials and Methods

Theoretical Framework

Many psychological theories attempt to predict behavior, with the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) being one of the most widely used. This study predicts that parents’ attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control over the vaccination decision impact, the willingness of parents to vaccinate their children aged 12–17.

Theory of Planned Behavior

Yahaghi et al⁴ suggested employing the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) for examining adults’ intentions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Subjective norms, perceived control, and attitudes were found to play a significant role in determining people’s intentions to get vaccinated. Zhang et al⁹ investigated the intention of parents to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. They reported that parents with positive attitudes that conformed to subjective norms and felt perceived behavioral control of their children under the age of 18 were more likely to give their permission to their children to receive vaccinations. According to Yahaghi,⁴ the most common reasons for parents rejecting the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine for their children were due to fear of the COVID-19 vaccine side effects, a lack of understanding about vaccine efficacy, and a lack of confidence in vaccines imported from other countries. As addressed in Goldman et al study,⁹ two major factors influence parents’ decisions to vaccinate their children, the first is parents’ fear of the COVID-19 vaccine due to their novelty. The second motivation stems from the knowledge that vaccines are safe and will protect their children from infection. However, to our knowledge, studies have yet to measure the effects of all these factors on intention in a single model which also adds fear of the COVID-19 vaccine as a potential barrier to parents’ acceptance of their children’s vaccination plan.

This study was conducted in Jordan using a cross-sectional survey. It took place through anonymous online interviews with parents of children aged 12–17 between Nov-Dec 2021. The study used a convenience sample of 396 parents of school- The sample included parents of children going to public as well as private schools. It excluded parents of adopted children and refugees in addition to parents who refused to participate in the study. Subjects were selected based on consultations with Regional Educational Administrative Authorities, School Principals facilitated the online communication with parents which took place on school premises after obtaining parent’s consent to conduct the interviews. To increase participation, information about the study was shared through school communication channels, such as newsletters, and apps, and biweekly reminders were sent out to parents, Local educators and healthcare providers also encouraged parents to participate in the survey. Interviewers underwent standardized training. After discarding 10% for piloting, and incomplete forms, the completed information could be secured from 396 subjects. The data obtained from these subjects were analyzed. The survey questionnaire measured attitudes, subjective norms, intentions, and fear of the COVID-19 vaccine using a five-point Likert scale with closed-ended questions.

Measurements

Effect of Parents’ Attitude on Their Intention to Vaccinate Children

The term “attitude towards a behavior” refers to an individual’s strong perception or evaluation, whether positive or negative, of a particular behavior that is being dealt with.² In this study, attitude represents parents’ positive or negative judgment toward vaccinating their child with the COVID-19 vaccine. In general, attitude positively explains intention.² Moreover, it also can explain the intention to vaccinate adults.⁴ Based on this, the first hypothesis that was set out for the study was stated as follows:

H1: Parents’ attitudes toward vaccinating children and their intention to vaccinate children are positively related.

Subjective Norms’ Influence on Parents’ Intention to Vaccinate Their Children

The social expectations and social pressures influencing the approval or disapproval of a specific behavior are interpreted subjectively by an individual.² In this study, subjective norms refer to the level to which an individual perceives the opinion of those significant others, such as family, other parents, and physicians, to be necessary. This may increase parents’ willingness to vaccinate their children aged 12 to 17. According to Hofstede’s index,¹⁰ in collectivist cultures where social norms and social conditions take importance over individual choices, parents are more likely to base their decision on vaccinating their 12–17-year-old children on the views and opinions of close family members and other parents. This approach reflects the cultural emphasis on group consensus and decision-making as a whole. Therefore, the second hypothesis for this study was stated as:

H2: There is a positive correlation between parental intention to vaccinate children and subjective norms.

Effect of Parents’ Perceived Control on Their Intention to Vaccinate Children

Perceived control refers to an individual’s evaluation of the simplicity or difficulty of performing a particular behavior, Considering anticipated challenges or obstacles and prior experiences.² In this study, perceived control refers to individuals’ perceived ability to vaccinate their child aged 12–17 or declining to do so. The research found a positive relationship between perceived control and intention to perform a behavior.² Thus, the third hypothesis was stated as:

H3: Parents’ perceived control and intention to vaccinate children are positively related.

Effect of Parents’ Perceived Fear of the COVID-19 Vaccine on Their Intention to Vaccinate Children

The components of TPB may consider the indirect impact of fear. Fear of the COVID-19 vaccine can influence an individual’s perception of subjective norms as well as his or her attitude toward a specific behavior. Fear of the COVID-19 vaccine, on the other hand, does not function as a distinct component or framework within the TPB framework. Thus, fear of the COVID-19 vaccine may also affect parents’ intention to vaccinate their children against COVID-19.¹¹ Therefore, the fourth hypothesis was stated as:

H4: Parents’ fear of the COVID-19 vaccine and intention to vaccinate children are negatively related.

The questionnaire’s accuracy and cultural relevance were guaranteed by a rigorous translation and back-translation procedure. The questionnaire was originally written in English and then translated into Arabic, taking great care to reduce biases associated with language. Expert back-translation techniques that followed Brislin’s recommendations¹² guaranteed linguistic and cultural appropriateness. To ensure instrument validity and reliability, a pilot survey was carried out post-translation on 10% of the sample. In the end, this pilot group was not included in the analysis. The Statistical Application of Cronbach’s Alpha in Reliability attitudes, subjective norms, intention, and fear of the COVID-19 vaccine were (0.97; 0.78;0.93, and 0.92). The predictive validity testing revealed a significant correlation indicating good validity.

Statistical Analysis

The study was designed with a 90% power level and a 95% confidence interval, with a p-value of less than 0.05 indicating statistical significance and a 5% margin of error. A sample size of at least 385 participants was calculated using the Raosoft sample size calculator, based on the estimated population of 1,069,000 in the target age group for the year 2019–2020.

Descriptive statistics summarized the demographic details of participants. Multiple regression analysis evaluated the impact of various factors (antecedents of intention) on parents’ intentions to vaccinate their children against COVID-19, with model fit and explanatory power indicated by R, R-Square, Adjusted R-Square, Standard Error, F-value, and p-value. Individual contributions of each antecedent were assessed through regression analysis, reporting coefficients (B), standard errors, beta values, t-values, and significance levels to evaluate each predictor’s influence on the dependent variable (parents’ vaccination intention). Stepwise regression analysis was used to determine each variable’s (attitudes, fear of the COVID-19 vaccine, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control) importance and contribution to the vaccination intention, highlighting the incremental impact of adding each variable to the model.

Ethical Consideration

This study complies with the Declaration of Helsinki. Compliance with ethics was strictly maintained. Parents and school administrators were asked for their informed consent, and they were given guarantees about their right to withdraw confidentiality and voluntary participation. Coded identifiers were used to maintain data confidentiality, and survey data was safely stored with only the principal investigator having access to it. The Ethical Review Committee (ERC) of the University of Jordan’s School of Medicine institutional review board committee, reviewed and approved this study (Approval number 5083/2021/67.)

Results

The researchers were able to recruit participants, of those we included 396 parents. Our study’s reduction in participants from 600 to 396 was due to strict adherence to inclusion and exclusion criteria, which ensured data accuracy and reliability. This decision was based on a thorough examination of responses for completeness and precision, as well as ethical considerations. The method used not only guaranteed the scientific accuracy of our findings but also aligned with ethical research practices, eventually enhancing the credibility and validity of our study’s conclusions.

Participants’ Profile and Characteristics

Table 1 lists the participants’ characteristics. Half the participants (208/396, 52.5%) lived in Amman the capital of Jordan. Mothers accounted for 80.1% (317/396) of participants, with the remaining being fathers (79/396, 19.9%). Most mothers (197/396, 49.7%) had a bachelor’s degree, and (162/396, 40%) worked full-time. Similarly, most fathers (162/396, 40.9%) had a bachelor’s degree and worked full-time (195/396, 49.2%). 80.3% (318/396) of participants had a household income of more than 705 USD per month, considered roughly the average national income per person per month.78.5% (311/396) of participants reported not having chronic diseases. However, 89.1% (353/396) reported receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, and 43.4% (172/396) reported previously being diagnosed with COVID-19. 42.7% (169/396) of participants reported having one child aged 12–17, with 96% (380/396) of children not having a chronic disease. Only 19.9% (79/396) of parents and 8.6% (34/396) of children took the influenza vaccine in the last 12 months. Although 94.7% (375/396) of children were fully vaccinated against common diseases, only 23.5% (93/396) were vaccinated against COVID-19. The primary source of COVID-19 information among the participants was social, 54.3% (215/396).

We used stepwise multiple regression tests to examine the impact of the all antecedents of intention considered in the study (attitudes, subjective norms, behavioral control, and fear of the COVID-19 vaccine) on parents’ intention to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. The results reported in Table 2 represent the combined impact of these variables on the parents’ intention to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. Notably, the multiple regression of the four sub-variables of antecedents of intention and their impact on the parents’ intention to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 explained 80.7% of the variation in intention (R2 = 0.807, F = 408.749, Sig = 0.000). This suggests that parents’ antecedents of intention have a substantial impact on whether they intend to vaccinate their children against COVID-19.

Table 2 Impact of All Antecedents of Intention (Attitudes, Subjective Norms, Behavioral Control, and Fear of the COVID-19 Vaccine) on Parents’ Intention to Vaccinate Their Children Against COVID-19

Next, the results of the regression for each antecedent (Table 3) including attitude, subjective norms, behavioral control, and fear of the COVID-19 vaccine significantly affected parents’ intention to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. The model summary using multiple regression test. Table 3 reveals that with each additional factor only slightly increasing the model’s predictive power, attitude is the most important factor (t-value of 13.256). Subjective norms also positively influence vaccination intentions, though the effect is smaller than that of attitude (t-value of 5.340). Fear of the COVID-19 vaccine has a significant negative effect on vaccination intentions with higher levels of fear of the COVID-19 vaccine, possibly related to concerns about vaccine safety or efficacy, are associated with lower intentions to vaccinate with t-value (−7.132) However, the Perceived behavioral control has a small, but significant, negative impact on vaccination intentions t-value (−2.869), (Table 3).

Table 3 The Impact of Individual Antecedents of Intention on Parents’ Intention to Vaccinate Their Children Against COVID-19

Prediction of Parent’s Intention to Vaccinate Their Children Against COVID-19 from the Antecedents of Intention

Stepwise multiple regression was used to determine the importance of each independent variable (attitudes, subjective norms, behavioral control, and fear) on parents’ intention to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. (see Table 4)

Table 4 Prediction of Parents’ Intention to Vaccinate Their Children Against COVID-19 from the Antecedents of Intention by Stepwise Regression Analysis

The Most important factor in predicting parents’ intention to vaccinate is the attitude, which alone is significantly predicted by their intention, accounting for 75% of the variance. Fear of the COVID-19 vaccine has a significant impact on vaccination intention, negatively influencing parents’ decision-making. Fear of the COVID-19 vaccine increases the model’s explanatory power to 78.7%. Adding subjective norms with the two previous variables had an R2 of 80.3%. Despite its negative impact, perceived behavioral control marginally increases the model’s predictive power, The behavioral control with the previous three variables had an R2 of 80.7%.

Relationship Between Attitude, Subjective Norm, Behavioral Control, Fear, and Parents’ Intention to Vaccinate Their Children Against COVID-19

Table 5 demonstrates a simple regression analysis examining the relationship between attitudes, subjective norms, behavioral control, fear, and parents’ intention to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. A higher level of positive attitude predicts and explains 75% of the variance in parental intention and perceived control (social influences and perceived social pressures) has a significant influence on parents’ vaccination decisions to a lesser extent. Table 5 lists these results. Attitude (R = 0.866, R2 = 0.75, sig