Associations of Mental Health and Experience of the COVID-19 Pandemic with United States Adults' Intentions to Be Vaccinated.

Abstract

COVID-19 vaccine uptake in the United States has proved challenging. A deeper characterization extending beyond demographics and political ideologies of those hesitating or resisting is needed to guide ongoing conversations. This study examined associations between US adults' vaccination intentions and mental health history, experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, and mental health outcomes. An online population-based cross-sectional survey was administered nationwide during January 4-7, 2021. Participants were questioned about past and current mental health, and completed the Patient Health Questionnaire 8 (PHQ-8), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7), and Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS)-5 (to capture symptoms of depression, anxiety, and traumatic stress, respectively). Experience of the pandemic included cumulative county-level COVID case and death rates, self-reported COVID-19 testing/exposure/diagnosis, and self-reported impact on routines, resources, and relationships. Of 936 respondents, 66% intended to be vaccinated, 14.7% responded "maybe," and 19.6% "no." Past diagnosis of obsessive compulsive disorder, less impact on routines or social supports, not having been screened or tested for COVID-19, not knowing someone who tested positive, and not self-isolating were associated with less intention to vaccinate. After controlling for demographic and pandemic experience factors, symptoms of traumatic stress, but not other mental health outcomes, were associated with less intention to vaccinate. The apparent contradiction between less negative impact of the pandemic and symptoms of traumatic stress being associated with less intention to be vaccinated indicates the complex nature of barriers to vaccine uptake. Results from this study contribute to the evidence base needed to improve ongoing and future communications about, and strategies to increase uptake of, vaccination.