Uncovering the links between internet usage, trust in science, and vaccination based on the cross-national online survey-2 wave 5 panel

Abstract

Previous research to some extent evidenced the links between trust in science and vaccination, but the links between trust in science, vaccination, and Internet usage, have not been explored in depth yet. The purpose of this study was to examine the links between Internet usage, trust in science, and vaccination, based on data derived from the CROss-National Online Survey-2 (CRONOS-2) Wave 5 panel fielded in 11 European countries. The findings revealed males’ significantly higher general trust in science in comparison to females, but no significant gender differences were observed in Internet usage or trust in different disciplines or statements made by scientists. Next, vaccinated individuals demonstrated significantly higher general trust in science, higher trust in scientific disciplines, and significantly higher trust in statements made by scientists than not-vaccinated individuals. Furthermore, this study revealed some weak but statistically significant positive correlations between Internet usage and general trust in science, trust in scientific disciplines, and trust in statements made by scientists, and a negative link between Internet usage and age. General trust in science, trust in scientific disciplines, and trust in statements made by scientists’ subscales were significantly positively intercorrelated. SEM analysis revealed that Internet usage itself does not have a significant effect on vaccination, but Internet usage has a significant positive effect on trust in science, and trust in science has a significant positive effect on vaccination.