Are vaccination uptake and non-uptake influenced by our emotions? An experimental study on the role of emotional processes and compassion.

Objective: This study examined the effects of emotional arousal, emotional competence, emotion regulation (ER), and compassion on COVID-19 and flu vaccination intentions (VI) among the French population.

Design: Data were collected online from October to December 2020. Altogether, 451 participants ( = 35.8,  = 16.4) were allocated to four groups. High positive ( = 104) or negative ( = 103) emotional arousal were induced into two groups using pictures and music, and compared against a control group (flu group;  = 116) and a reference group (COVID-19 group;  = 114). All groups completed questionnaires on emotional arousal, ER, emotional competence, compassion, and VI.

Results: The findings indicated a significant effect of group on VI, =.023, 95% CI [-.002, .09]. The Group*Gender interaction on emotional arousal was non-significant, =.015, 95%CI [.000, .041]. However, emotional arousal was observed to have a significant main effect on VI, =.09, 95% CI [.043, .238]. The ER type*Emotional arousal*Gender interaction on ER use was trend, = .002, 95% CI [.000, .005]. The emotional competence*ER type interaction on ER use was significant, = .028, 95% CI [.011, .049]. Only experiential avoidance mediated the relationship between emotional arousal and VI, < .018, 95% CI [.015, .18].

Conclusion: Emotional arousal impacts VI. High emotional competence only reduces the use of dysfunctional ER strategies.