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

Publication date: Oct 01, 2025

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. Data were collected online from October to December 2020. Altogether, 451 participants (M = 35. 8, SD = 16. 4) were allocated to four groups. High positive (n = 104) or negative (n = 103) emotional arousal were induced into two groups using pictures and music, and compared against a control group (flu group; n = 116) and a reference group (COVID-19 group; n = 114). All groups completed questionnaires on emotional arousal, ER, emotional competence, compassion, and VI. The findings indicated a significant effect of group on VI, h=. 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, p

Semantics

Original Article