Date of Award

Spring 5-17-2024

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Major

Psychology

First Advisor

Dina Anselmi

Second Advisor

Brian Chin

Abstract

Previous research has found a relationship between COVID-19 vaccine conspiracist beliefs, social media use, and COVID-19 vaccine uptake. The current study aimed to expand on previous findings to investigate the potential moderating effect of social media on the relationships between conspiracist beliefs, trust in experts, and political conservatism on vaccine uptake. Additionally, the current study examined two age groups (20-30 year olds and 50-60 year olds). Trust was measured using a Trust Scale (developed by researchers); Vaccine conspiracy beliefs were measured using an expanded version of the Vaccine Conspiracy Belief Questions (Shapiro et al., 2016); Frequency of social media use was measured using an adapted version of the Social Networking Activity Intensity Scale by Li et al. (2016); Social media literacy was measured using an abridged version of the Social Media Information Literacy Scale by Heiss et al. (2023). Results of the study indicated that more frequent use of Snapchat and TikTok is associated with less COVID-19 vaccine uptake and greater COVID-19 conspiracist beliefs. Additionally, the effect size of the relationships between trust in experts & vaccine uptake and trust in experts & conspiracist beliefs is dependent on the frequency of Snapchat and TikTok use. Future research should further investigate the factors that contribute to the impact of Snapchat and TikTok on vaccination to inform interventions to encourage vaccination. Researchers may also want to explore whether this effect is true for vaccines other than that for COVID-19.

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