| dc.description.abstract | Abstract The current study investigated the relationship between the Health Belief Model (HBM) framework, social variables, personality factors, and H1N1 flu vaccine acceptance. Four hundred thirty two undergraduate students completed online questionnaires that assessed vaccine acceptance, social and personality factors, and HBM categories in relation to the H1N1 vaccine (perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived cost barriers, perceived general barriers, perceived benefits, knowledge, and engagement in preventative health behaviors). Participants were collected in two phases: during the H1N1 pandemic and the following flu season. Results showed that the HBM framework was found to be appropriate for identifying and distinguishing vaccine acceptors and nonacceptors. In addition, the HBM categories of cost barriers, general barriers, and benefits were found to be significantly related to H1N1 vaccine acceptance. Second, the opinion of family members about the H1N1 vaccine moderated the relationship between number of social ties and vaccine acceptance. Further, H1N1 vaccine acceptance was related to regular seasonal flu vaccine acceptance and regular physical examinations, but not aggregate scores of other preventative health behaviors. Finally, there was a difference in cost barriers and severity ratings but not in seasonal flu vaccine acceptance between the two phases of collection. Implications of this study include the investigation of H1N1 vaccine in a unique population and in two different forms of protection. More research is needed to investigate vaccine acceptance in future pandemics and in college populations. | |
