Abstract
COVID-19 has become a significant challenge to individuals globally, meaning that the effectiveness of addressing the aftermath is a key issue nowadays. The proposed research aims at investigating individuals’ willingness to receive COVID-19 booster. The study analyzes the three variables linked to the issue: trust in the healthcare system, trust in government, and trust in science. The hypothesis is formulated regarding the literature review and predicted correlations:
The higher levels of trust in the healthcare system, government, and science are linked to higher readiness to receive the booster vaccine.
The correlational survey is the primary data analysis and collection tool. It was conducted among 668 participants recruited by using social media. The results prove the hypothesis and show the positive correlation between the variables and individuals’ willingness to receive COVID-19 booster. It means that higher trust in government, the healthcare sector, and science promote a positive attitude to vaccination.
Coronavirus became a severe challenge for all states globally and introduced many issues. Since this pandemic spread from one side of the planet to the other, numerous individuals have endured mental problems and inconveniences like depression, interpersonal sensitivity, and obsessive-compulsive (Zhu et al., 2020). Even though COVID-19 diminished, mental wellness issues further diminished; nonetheless, many individuals still suffer from the aftereffects of mental illnesses (Zhu et al., 2020). Therefore, it is essential to look at the pandemic responses from a psychological perspective and how people affect a COVID-19 booster vaccine through those perspectives. For this reason, the study implies the three variables:
- Trust in the healthcare system.
- Trust in government.
- Trust in science.
Their analysis will help to understand the current responses to COVID-19 and the population’s attitude to it.
The first variable is trust in health care systems, which is directly linked to the current situation and individuals’ well-being. By understanding the disposition concerning of healthcare system, it is possible to understand the overall level of trust in the sector (Gilson, 2006). The given factor can be impacted by the functioning of the healthcare sector, its effectiveness, and the ability to manage the situation by introducing appropriate measures (Dye et al., 2021). As the public has trust in their health care systems, it is possible to predict the correlation between this variable and willingness to receive the booster, such that higher levels of trust in the health care system will be related to greater willingness to receive the booster (Wu et al., 2022; Wynen et al., 2022). For this reason, investigating the issue is critical for the research.
Trust in government is the second variable that may be related to pandemic responses in terms of the psychological perspective. The idea of trust is assessing the nature of social control and the heading in which society is directed (Bouckaert & van de Walle, 2003; Goldberg & Richey, 2020). Expanding the nature of administration will prompt seriously trusting residents (Bouckaert & van de Walle, 2003; Thornton, 2022). At the same time, the high levels of trust in the government might serve as the factor cultivating a positive attitude to vaccines, their effectiveness, and positive outcomes (Aklil & Temesgan, 2022; Cislak et al., 2021). Individuals with positive attitudes toward the leading parties will show a greater willingness to receive the booster (Cislak et al., 2021). For this reason, its investigation is critical to enhancing the selected issue’s understanding.
Finally, trust in science is the last variable selected for the research. This role of trust is centered around ‘social trust,’ which is a readiness to depend on specialists who have an obligation regarding deciding in their area (Roberts et al., 2011; Siegrist et al., 2000). Trust in science, social consensus, and vaccine confidence are interconnected (Koetke et al., 2021; Muğaloğlu et al., 2021). It means that people who are aware of the recent advances in science and believe scientists are more likely to get the COVID-19 vaccine (Reiss, 2022). At the same time, vaccine hesitancy is also closely linked to the trust in science and the lack of social consensus existing within a society (Reiss). For this reason, it is possible to predict that a higher level of trust in science will be linked to a greater willingness to receive the booster.
In such a way, the proposed research investigates the relationship between trust in the healthcare system, government, and science and readiness to receive a booster vaccine to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The selected variables will be investigated using a correlational survey as the primary data collection and analysis tool. The three measurement scales will be used to evaluate participants’ attitudes to the chosen variables and how they impact their readiness to receive the booster vaccine. Regarding the data from the literature review and the expected relationship, it is possible to formulate the following hypothesis:
The higher levels of trust in the healthcare system, government, and science are linked to higher readiness to receive the booster vaccine.
The data acquired in the course of research will help either prove or refute the hypothesis.
Method
Participants
The sample size for the study is 668 participants selected to collect information linked to the issue under research. The age ranges between 17-80 years, mean deviation equal to 29.79 and a standard deviation of 14.56 years. 409 participants of the study were female, 229 male, 14 nonbinary, 2 genderfluid, 1 agender, and 13 did not specify their gender. All participants were recruited by using the online survey conducted in August-September. The participants were a community sample.
Procedure
The study was carried out as part of the broader survey conducted for a second-year undergraduate psychology course. It was conducted to collect information necessary for the research and describe the correlation between the three variables introduced previously and individuals’ readiness to receive a booster vaccine. The survey was distributed using social media platforms, such as Twitter, and Facebook, emails, and personal messages to potential participants. The survey process started on August 2022 and was open for about 2 weeks. It was closed on September 2022, meaning all participants had the chance to provide their answers and share information with the researcher. The survey was designed to take approximately 15-20 minutes for every person to provide answers and share personal information with a researcher. The procedure was simple and understandable for every individual to perform the task.
Measures
Trust in the healthcare system
To measure trust in the healthcare system, four items were adapted from Shahrabani, S., Bord, S., Admi, H., & Halberthal, M. (2022). Physicians’ Compliance with COVID-19 Regulations: The Role of Emotions and Trust. Healthcare, 10(3), 582.
- The health care system in this country functions really well.
- I have confidence in the medical information provided by healthcare providers.
- The healthcare system is responding well to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- When treating medical problems, healthcare institutions put people’s medical needs above all other considerations, including costs (Shahrabani et al., 2022)
Responses were made on a 7-point scale (e.g., I have confidence in the medical information provided by healthcare providers 1=Not true at all, 7=Completely true) (Creswell & Creswell, 2018). Higher scores indicated greater trust levels.
Trust in government
To measure trust in the government level, three items were adapted from Dohle, S., Wingen, T., & Schreiber, M. (2020). Acceptance and adoption of protective measures during the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of trust in politics and trust in science. Social Psychological Bulletin, 15(4), 1-23:
- Information released by politicians concerning the coronavirus can be trusted.
- Politicians have the necessary knowledge to ensure that this crisis will be overcome.
- The skills of important decision-makers in politics are sufficient to overcome this crisis (Dohle, et al., 2020)
Responses were made on a 7-point scale (e.g., Information released by politicians concerning the coronavirus can be trusted 1=Not true at all, 7=Completely true). Higher scores indicated greater trust levels.
Trust in science
To measure the trust in science levels, the three were adapted from Dohle, S., Wingen, T., & Schreiber, M. (2020). Acceptance and adoption of protective measures during the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of trust in politics and trust in science. Social Psychological Bulletin, 15(4), 1-23:
- Information released by scientists concerning the coronavirus can be trusted.
- Scientists have the necessary knowledge to ensure that this crisis will be overcome.
- The skills of important decision-makers in science are sufficient to overcome this crisis (Dohle et al., 2020)
Responses were made on a 7-point scale (e.g., Information released by scientists concerning the coronavirus can be trusted 1=Not true at all, 7=Completely true). Higher scores indicated greater trust levels.
Results
The major findings linked to the selected variables, descriptive statistics, and correlations for trust in science, trust in the healthcare system, trust in government, and willingness to receive a COVID-19 booster are presented in Table 1:
Considering the data acquired from the literature review and aligning with the offered hypothesis, a significant positive correlation relationship between trust in science and willingness to receive a booster vaccination (<.001) was demonstrated. It proves that people with higher levels of trust in science are more willing to receive a COVID-19 booster than those with lower levels.
Similar relationships are observed regarding trust in the healthcare system. A significant positive correlation relationship between this variable and willingness to receive a booster vaccination (<.001) was demonstrated. In such a way, individuals who trust care providers are ready to get a COVID-19 booster.
Finally, the findings prove a significant positive correlation relationship between trust in government (<.001) and readiness to receive a booster vaccination. Individuals who believe in their governments are more willing to be vaccinated.
In such a way, the findings prove the hypothesis and demonstrate the positive correlation between the dependent and independent variables.
Discussion
Altogether, the major aim of the research was to outline the relationship between trust in science, healthcare, and government and willingness to get vaccine boosters. The following hypothesis was formulated:
The higher levels of trust in the healthcare system, government, and science are linked to higher readiness to receive the booster vaccine.
It was important to analyze individuals’ attitudes to these factors as part of the response to COVID-19.
In general, the study results support the proposed hypothesis and the existing literature and can be linked to individuals’ willingness to receive the COVID-19 booster vaccine. Individuals who trust their governments and healthcare sectors and are aware of the recent advances in science are ready to use vaccines to ensure they are protected against COVID-19. These findings mean that building stronger social relations within a state and building better relations between individuals and representatives of discussed social institutions might cultivate better responses to the pandemic and help to protect individuals.
Results linked to trust in government also correlate with the hypothesis and support it. Individuals who believe their governments are effective in resolving emerging problems are more likely to become vaccinated. It is explained by the high confidence and trust levels and the absence of hesitations. It means that respected and strong governments might introduce more potent responses to the pandemic.
Finally, trust in science is another potent modifier of clients’ readiness to become vaccinated. People who believe scientists are successful in resolving new challenges do not have fears about being vaccinated. At the same time, the information provided by scientists and its credibility impacts the choices made by participants and their attitude to vaccines. For this reason, this variable is critical for analyzing the selected problem.
However, by analyzing the study results, it is possible to consider specific limitations. For instance, findings can be impacted by previous experience of being vaccinated. The bigger part of respondents had at least 1 vaccine shot in the past. It means they might already have positive attitudes to vaccination, influencing their readiness to get booster vaccines and their overall attitude to science, healthcare, and government (Nguyen et al., 2022). This factor can impact the credibility of findings and their relevance.
For this reason, it is possible to suggest future research involving participants with no experience of being vaccinated. It would help to address the outlined limit and overcome it by offering new information about how unvaccinated individuals view the recent advances in science linked to COVID-19 management and methods to overcome it.
Altogether, the research findings prove that the high levels of trust in science, government, and healthcare positively impact the willingness to receive a COVID-19 booster. It means these aspects should be considered when planning an effective response to a pandemic.
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