Adolescents with ADHD are at increased risk for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy

Authors

Melissa R. Dvorsky, Division of Psychology and Behavioral Health, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA. Electronic address: mdvorsky@childrensnational.org.
Rosanna Breaux, Department of Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
Joshua M. Langberg, Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
Stephen P. Becker, Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

6-9-2022

Journal

Journal of psychiatric research

Volume

152

DOI

10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.06.005

Keywords

Adolescence; Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; Coronavirus; Social determinants; Vaccination; Vaccine hesitancy

Abstract

Identifying factors that influence adolescent intentions for COVID-19 vaccination is essential for developing strategic interventions to increase uptake, particularly in subgroups of at-risk adolescents. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adolescence is characterized by difficulties regulating attention and behavior, social impairment, and impulsive risk-taking behaviors, which may impact vaccine hesitancy and vaccine uptake. This study examined hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccines among adolescents with and without ADHD, and explored how ADHD status interacted with malleable social mechanisms and other social determinants of health in predicting vaccine hesitancy. Participants were 196 U.S. adolescents (44.4% male), 45.6% diagnosed with ADHD. Adolescents reported their confidence and willingness toward COVID-19 vaccines from March to May 2021. Adolescents with ADHD reported greater hesitancy and less confidence in COVID-19 vaccine safety compared to adolescents without ADHD (p < .01). Only 61.8% of adolescents with ADHD reported vaccine acceptance, compared to 81.3% of adolescents without ADHD. For all adolescents, those who identified as Black or Latinx and with lower family income had greater hesitancy and reduced confidence, whereas greater COVID-19 concerns, media use, and perceived negative impact on relationships was associated with greater vaccination willingness. Social contextual processes significantly interacted with ADHD status such that for adolescents without ADHD, concerns about COVID-19 were associated with increased confidence in vaccine safety. Being noncompliant with social distancing guidelines was associated with greater vaccine hesitancy, only for adolescents with ADHD. A concerted effort is needed to increase trust, confidence, and social relevance among adolescents, especially those with ADHD and from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

APA Citation

Dvorsky, Melissa R.; Breaux, Rosanna; Langberg, Joshua M.; and Becker, Stephen P., "Adolescents with ADHD are at increased risk for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy" (2022). GW Authored Works. Paper 1139.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/1139

Department

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences