From Information to Emotion: An Evaluation of Information Satisfaction and Behavioral Response in the Context of the COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign
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Abstract
Vaccine acceptance is a behavioral outcome shaped by a complex decision-making process influenced by multiple factors, chief among them being the information shared about the vaccine. This study therefore, examines the shift from information to emotion by evaluating information satisfaction and behavioral response in the context of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. The Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model was used to guide the study. A cross-sectional, anonymous online survey design was employed, using a convenience sampling technique to recruit 162 individuals aged 18 and older who voluntarily participated in the survey. The online questionnaire comprised six sections aligned with the four main objectives of the study, and the Mean, Standard Deviation (SD), and Variance (Var.) scores were used for the analysis. The results indicate that “information was sufficient for understanding” (Mean = 3.70, SD = 1.79), “the most important information received” (Mean = 3.69, SD = 1.76), and “generally satisfied” (Mean = 3.53, SD = 1.57) with the information provided about the vaccines best represented overall respondents satisfaction. However, in considering respondents' emotional balance from the results, the negative emotional responses scored higher than the corresponding positive statements. For instance, “I am not pleased” (Mean = 2.86) > “I feel good” (Mean = 2.64), “I feel uneasy” (Mean = 2.98) > “I am happy” (Mean = 2.78), and “I have negative feelings” (Mean = 2.97) > “I am often very positive” (Mean = 2.79) about the vaccine information shared. The study concluded that while sufficient information was disseminated to support public understanding, individuals’ decisions to accept vaccination were significantly shaped by their emotional responses and that vaccine development cannot be considered complete until individuals are psychologically motivated to make vaccination decisions. The study recommended that public health communication strategies should adopt an “info-emotive” communication approach—integrating accurate, evidence-based information with psychological comfort and emotional reassurance. Suggestion for further studies was indicated in the study.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Keriafe, Daniel Ejiro , Okereafor, Stanley Ogunre (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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