Family belief system influences on COVID-19 vaccination decisions among First Nations Australians.

Abstract

COVID-19 has changed the world in many ways, and while some families were divided by geographical distances and mandatory "stay-at-home" orders during lockdowns, others became fractured owing to decisions about vaccination. This novel exploratory qualitative study questions how family systems and COVID-19 attitudes influenced the vaccine decisions of 10 Australian First Nations individuals. Despite the significance of family in decision making, the advice of respected family members became insignificant when nonvaccination resulted in the undesirable consequences of coercive government mandates. The thematic analysis identifies themes of choice, repeated wrongs of the past, trust, relationships, isolation, and parenting anxiety. It also demonstrates the resiliency of First Nations families, evident in the creative ways family systems adapted during the pandemic. This study has implications for governments and health service planning toward community COVID-19 support systems in a postpandemic context and provides ideas for further research into First Nations service provision during health crises. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).