ata tehranchi; mahsa mahmoodi
Abstract
Objective: Previous research has shown that health engagement accounts for a substantial variance in positiveattitudes about the COVID-19 vaccine in public. However, these studies are hardly able to explain intrapersonalcharacteristics. Thus, we examined the moderating effect of four character strengths ...
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Objective: Previous research has shown that health engagement accounts for a substantial variance in positiveattitudes about the COVID-19 vaccine in public. However, these studies are hardly able to explain intrapersonalcharacteristics. Thus, we examined the moderating effect of four character strengths (kindness, critical thinking,fairness, and prudence) in the relation between health engagement and positive attitudes to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Method: The population consisted of all university students living in Mashhad. A sample of 600 individuals wasrecruited through convenience sampling. The participants completed a battery of questionnaires including a healthengagement questionnaire, Values in Action-Inventory of Strengths, and attitudes towards vaccination questionnaireduring the COVID-19 pandemic. A hierarchical regression model and slope analysis were used to examine themoderation effect.
Results: The findings indicated a positive and significant correlation between health engagement and a positive attitudetowards vaccination (r=.23; p<.01). The character strengths were significantly and positively associated with healthengagement (r=.18; p<.01), and a positive attitude toward vaccination (r=.30; p<.01). Moreover, the moderatingeffect of character strengths on the relationship between health engagement and a positive attitude towards vaccinationwas significant (t=-4.08; p<.001).
Conclusion: Therefore, the character strengths could moderate the effect of health engagement on a positive attitudetowards vaccination. It can be concluded that character strengths have a moderating effect on making health-relateddecisions in stressful conditions such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
