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Access Type
WSU Access
Date of Award
January 2025
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Department
Communication
First Advisor
Elizabeth Stoycheff
Abstract
This dissertation investigates the multifaceted nature of vaccine hesitancy (VH) within the U.S. adult population, focusing on attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination and the interplay of media use, political ideology, and misinformation susceptibility. Utilizing Motivated Reasoning (MR) and Uses and Gratifications (U&G) theories, the study explores how cognitive, ideological, and media-related factors shape vaccine hesitancy. Data were collected through a comprehensive survey employing quota sampling, followed by Latent Profile Analysis (LPA), ANOVA, and regression models to identify distinct profiles of vaccine-hesitant individuals.Key findings highlight the critical role of misinformation susceptibility, media trust, and political ideology in shaping vaccine hesitancy. LPA revealed detailed profiles of vaccine-hesitant individuals, categorized by their media consumption patterns, cognitive evaluation abilities, and ideological beliefs. Regression analyses identified core predictors, including COVID-19 vaccine uptake, conspiracy beliefs, hours spent on partisan media, and frequency of fact-checking, underscoring the complexity of VH as influenced by both individual and systemic factors. The study's implications emphasize the need for targeted public health strategies that address misinformation and ideological biases. Media literacy initiatives and bipartisan collaboration with trusted community leaders are recommended to enhance the reach and effectiveness of vaccination campaigns. Additionally, the findings suggest that health communication strategies should consider the evolving digital media landscape and ideological polarization when addressing vaccine hesitancy. This study provides a pivotal step in understanding vaccine hesitancy's nuanced dimensions, offering actionable insights for public health officials, policymakers, and media literacy advocates to combat misinformation and improve vaccine uptake in the digital age.
Recommended Citation
Harb, Farah, "Who Are They, And Why Are They Hesitant? - Exploring Media Misinformation Susceptibility On Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy In The Us: A Latent Profile Analysis Study" (2025). Wayne State University Dissertations. 4203.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_dissertations/4203