TESTING THE MEDIATING AND MODERATING FACTORS OF THE LINK BHTWEEN RELIGIOSITY AND VACCINE HESITANCY: A QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF TURKISH MUSLIMS

Abstract

This study aims to examine the link between religiosity and vaccine hesitancy and whether this relationship is mediated by trust in science and scientists. The sample consisted of 571 Turkish Muslims. The participants' average age was 38.09 years (SD-11.3). The participants were asked to provide their demographic information and complete measures of vaccine hesitancy, religiosity, and trust in science and scientists. The findings indicate that (a) there is a significant positive correlation between religiosity and vaccine hesitancy, (b) trust in science and scientists has a mediating role in the relationship between religiosity and vaccine hesitancy, and (c) age has a significant moderating effect on the relationship between religiosity and vaccine hesitancy. The findings suggest that the role of religiosity in vaccine hesitancy functions through trust in science and scientists.