People who are depressed may be more susceptible to misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines

 

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/940864

 

 News Release 21-Jan-2022
Among surveyed adults, those with depressive symptoms were more likely to believe false statements about COVID-19 vaccines
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Massachusetts General Hospital

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The team found that levels of depression are at least three times higher than what they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants with moderate or greater major depressive symptoms on the initial questionnaire were more likely to endorse at least one of four false statements about COVID-19 vaccines on the subsequent survey, and those who endorsed these statements were less likely to be vaccinated. Specifically, the presence of depression was associated with a 2.2-times higher likelihood of endorsing misinformation, and respondents endorsing at least one misinformation statement were half as likely to be vaccinated and 2.7 times more likely to report vaccine resistance.

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