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April 4, 2024
COVID-19 vaccination, preventive behaviours and pro-social motivation
:panel data analysis from Japan (Prof.Ohtake,in Humanit Soc Sci Commun)
Background
The COVID-19 vaccine reduces infection risk; even if one contracts COVID-19, the probability of complications such as death or hospitalisation is lower. However, vaccination may prompt people to decrease preventive behaviours, such as staying home, washing hands, and wearing a mask. Therefore, if vaccinated people pursue only self-interest, the vaccine’s effect may be lower than expected. However, if vaccinated people are pro-social (motivated toward benefits for the whole society), they might maintain preventive behaviours to reduce the spread of infection.
Summary
We conducted 26 surveys almost once a month from March 2020 (the early stage of COVID-19) to September 2022 in Japan. By corresponding with identical individuals, we independently constructed the original panel data (N = 70,908).
1.Being vaccinated led people to increase preventive behaviours, such as mask-wearing by 1.04 points, and hand hygiene by 0.34 points on a 5-point scale.
2.Vaccinated people under 65 are less likely to stay home.
3.People with pro-social motivation to be vaccinated are more likely to maintain prevention than those not so motivated
The opportunity cost of wearing masks and hand hygiene is lower than that of staying home, and the benefit persists after vaccination if people are motivated to maintain these behaviours for others’ well-being.
This research finding was published in Humanit Soc Sci Commun on 4 April, 2024.
Title:COVID-19 vaccination, preventive behaviours and pro-social motivation: panel data analysis from Japan
Authors: Yamamura, E., Tsutsui, Y. & Ohtake, F.
