The social considerations and emotions of parents in their COVID-19 vaccine decisions for their children in a risk society : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Sociology at Massey University, distance, New Zealand

Abstract

This study explores the social and emotional factors influencing Aotearoa New Zealand parents’ COVID-19 vaccination decisions for their children. While much of the literature on vaccine decision-making relies on quantitative data, my research takes a qualitative approach to explore the unique perspectives, experiences and relationships that shape parental vaccine choices. My thesis underscores the value of qualitative research in examining vaccine attitudes and understanding the complex and emotional nature of vaccine decision-making. Throughout the thesis, I reflect on my evolving understanding of the various vaccine beliefs and choices people make. This includes examining how my own feelings toward people who choose not to vaccinate have shifted, highlighting the role of emotion in social research. Through Ulrich Beck’s (1992) Risk Society theoretical framework, I examine how perceptions of risk, uncertainty, and trust in late modernity influence parents’ views on the COVID-19 Vaccine, particularly for younger children. My primary methodology was narrative inquiry. I conducted semi-structured interviews with parents, followed by a narrative analysis to capture their unique stories. The structure of the interviews and subsequent narrative analysis allowed me to explore the emotions, social relationships and experiences that influenced the participants’ COVID-19 vaccine decision-making. The narrative analysis was complemented by a thematic analysis to identify recurring themes and factors within the interview data and how they featured in the participants' vaccine decisions. My findings highlight the importance of understanding vaccine attitudes beyond the ternary of pro-vaccine, vaccine-hesitant and vaccine-resistant that is commonly depicted in the literature. Parents’ vaccine decisions are often fluid and context-dependent, shaped by emotion, social networks and experience. Emotions play a critical role in shaping how people interpret risk, a factor that Beck (1992) failed to consider. In the case of the COVID-19 vaccine, many of the participants saw the vaccine as a greater risk for their children than the virus due to the novel nature of the vaccine. The risk society lens allowed me to observe how parents are becoming increasingly sceptical of conventional experts, becoming confused by the multitude of “facts” available. This confusion increased their fear and anxiety about the vaccine for their children. Contrary to recommendations in the existing literature, my findings show that providing more information about the value and safety of vaccines to parents may be counterproductive. Information is not enough to overcome the emotions that parents feel when making vaccine decisions for their children.