Academic Journal
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among European older adults: the role of living alone, social isolation and loneliness.
| Τίτλος: | COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among European older adults: the role of living alone, social isolation and loneliness. |
|---|---|
| Συγγραφείς: | Taeldeman V; Department of Sociology, Ghent University, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 41, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Valentien.Taeldeman@UGent.be., Paredis M; Department of Sociology, Ghent University, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 41, 9000 Ghent, Belgium., Braekman E; Department of Health Information, Sciensano, E. Blerotstraat 1, 1070 Brussels, Belgium., Verhaegen KA; Department of Health Information, Sciensano, E. Blerotstraat 1, 1070 Brussels, Belgium., Bracke P; Department of Sociology, Ghent University, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 41, 9000 Ghent, Belgium., Delaruelle K; Department of Sociology, Ghent University, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 41, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. |
| Πηγή: | Preventive medicine [Prev Med] 2025 Aug; Vol. 197, pp. 108325. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 May 28. |
| Τύπος έκδοσης: | Journal Article |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Στοιχεία περιοδικού: | Publisher: Academic Press Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 0322116 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1096-0260 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00917435 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Prev Med Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: New York, Academic Press. |
| Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): | Loneliness*/psychology , Social Isolation*/psychology , COVID-19*/prevention & control , COVID-19*/psychology , Vaccination Hesitancy*/psychology , Vaccination Hesitancy*/statistics & numerical data , COVID-19 Vaccines*/administration & dosage, Europe/epidemiology ; Vaccination/psychology ; Humans ; Aged ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Israel ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Aged, 80 and over ; Surveys and Questionnaires |
| Περίληψη: | Objective: Given the significant public health challenge posed by vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers have increasingly focused on understanding its underlying determinants. While previous research has paid attention to predisposing, enabling, and need factors the role of psychosocial factors remains less understood. This study examines COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among older adults in Europe, specifically in relation to living alone, social isolation, and loneliness as distinct factors. Additionally, it considers potential cross-country variations in these effects, in relation to differences in policy stringency. Methods: Using data from the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) and SHARE Corona Surveys (2020-2021), this study analyses a sample of 36,890 adults aged 50 and above across 28 European countries and Israel. Two-level binomial logistic regression was employed. Results: Household composition, social isolation and loneliness among older adults related to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. More specifically: older adults who (i) lived alone, (ii) were more socially isolated, and (iii) were more lonely, tended to be more hesitant to get vaccinated against COVID-19. These effects did not differ by policy stringency. Conclusions: This study underscores the relevance of the absence of a partner, social isolation, and loneliness when addressing vaccine hesitancy in older adults. When implementing effective vaccination policies compassionate measures with sufficient attention for psychosocial factors are a necessity. Addressing the psychosocial roots of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is not just key to managing current COVID-19 risks, but a blueprint for a more resilient and inclusive approach to future health crises. (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.) |
| Competing Interests: | Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. |
| Grant Information: | Non-US Government Research Support type |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy; Europe; Living alone; Loneliness; Older adults; SHARE; Social isolation |
| Substance Nomenclature: | 0 (COVID-19 Vaccines) |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20250530 Date Completed: 20250702 Latest Revision: 20260705 |
| Update Code: | 20260705 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.ypmed.2025.108325 |
| PMID: | 40447114 |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1096-0260 |
|---|---|
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.ypmed.2025.108325 |