The role of personality traits in COVID-19 vaccination: A socio-cultural and gender-stratified analysis in Japan
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Background
COVID-19 vaccination uptake is influenced by various sociodemographic and psychological factors. Previous studies have suggested that the relationship between personality traits and vaccination is context-dependent. However, this association has not been investigated in Japan—a unique sociocultural context characterized by historically low vaccine confidence but exceptionally high COVID-19 vaccine uptake. We examined the association between the Big Five personality traits and completion of the primary COVID-19 vaccination series, exploring potential gender–personality interactions.
Methods
A web-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted among 7,210 Japanese adults (aged 20–85 years) in December 2021. Personality was assessed using the Japanese version of the Ten-Item Personality Inventory. Multivariable Poisson generalized estimating equations were used to calculate adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) and assess gender–personality interactions.
Results
Higher extraversion and lower openness were significantly associated with vaccination completion across genders. A significant gender–agreeableness interaction was observed: agreeableness (PR = 1.016, 95% CI: 1.008–1.024) was positively associated with vaccination completion among men but not women. A similar, though only marginally significant, interaction pattern was observed for neuroticism (PR = 1.011, 95% CI: 1.004–1.019 among men).
Conclusions
Personality traits act as modest but meaningful, gender-specific psychological modifiers of vaccination behavior in Japan. Public health campaigns should transition from traditional “one-size-fits-all” messages to personality-tailored and gender-responsive communication strategies to optimize vaccine uptake and bolster psychological resilience in future pandemics.
