Vicarious experiences of long COVID: A protection motivation theory analysis for vaccination intentions

Abstract

Context: Long COVID can appear as a severe late consequence (sequela) of a COVID-19 infection, leading to the inability to work or participate in social life for an unknown amount of time. To see friends or family struggling with long COVID might influence people’s risk perceptions, vaccine efficacy expectations, and self-efficacy perceptions to prevent COVID-19 and its consequences. Methods: In an online survey in August 2022, n = 989 German-speaking participants indicated whether they knew someone who suffered from long COVID illness. Four dimensions of protection motivation theory (PMT) were assessed afterwards, as well as vaccination intentions. Results: Multiple mediation analysis with participants who knew vs. didn't know someone with long COVID (n = 767) showed that knowing someone with long COVID was associated with higher perceived affective and cognitive risk of long COVID-19 as well as higher perceived vaccine efficacy. Self-efficacy, i.e., the ease to protect oneself against long COVID, was lower in participants who knew long-COVID patients. Indirect positive effects for response efficacy and affective risk suggest that vicarious experience with long COVID is associated with increased intentions to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusion: The protection from long COVID through vaccination are relevant aspects for individual decisions and health communication.

Keywords

• Protection motivation theory
• Vaccination intentions
• COVID-19
• Long COVID
• Health communication