title: Feeling bad about immunising our children.
abstract: Uptake of MMR vaccinations is as low as 60% in some parts of the UK. This poses a serious public health issue. This longitudinal study investigates parental decisions about MMR and single vaccinations. Parents (n=114) rated their perceptions of the benefits and risks of immunisation, and emotion-related variables; and were followed up to ask their final immunisation decision. Analyses demonstrated that parental decisions were explained by emotion-related variables, specifically anticipated responsibility and regret. It was concluded that parents' decisions about MMR are strongly influenced by the idea than harm that occurs as a result of deciding to immunise (commission) is less acceptable than harm that occurs as a result of deciding not to immunise (omission) (known as 'omission bias').
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, UK. a.wroe@iop.kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Abigail L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Wroe
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhan
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Salkovskis
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bedford
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008457:Measles / Q000517:prevention & control; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009107:Mumps / Q000517:prevention & control; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012409:Rubella / Q000517:prevention & control; D012941:Social Responsibility; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D014611:Vaccination / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine