Understanding and predicting parental decisions about early childhood immunizations

Reference:

Wroe, A. L., Turner, N. and Salkovskis, P. M., 2004. Understanding and predicting parental decisions about early childhood immunizations. Health Psychology, 23 (1), pp. 33-41.

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Official URL:

http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0278-6133.23.1.33

Abstract

This research investigated the factors that influence decisions about immunizations. Women in the third trimester of pregnancy (N=195) rated their likelihood of immunizing their child; stated their reasons for and against immunizing; and rated their perceptions of the benefits and risks of immunization, feelings of responsibility, and anticipated regret if harm occurred. Immunization status was determined at follow-up. Stepwise regression analyses demonstrated that immunization decisions are strongly influenced by omission bias factors such as anticipated responsibility and regret variance (which explained more than 50% of variance). It is suggested that parents may benefit from antenatal decision aids that address omission bias and encourage them to assess benefits and risks of immunizations on the basis of scientific evidence.

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