Social asset or social liability? How partisanship moderates the relationship between social capital and Covid-19 vaccination rates across United States counties.

ABSTRACT: This study investigates the interactive effect of social capital and partisanship on COVID-19 vaccination rates. Using county-level data from the United States (U.S.), we empirically find that social capital is a double-edged sword. Its effect on the vaccination rate depends on the dominant partisanship of the jurisdiction. In more liberal counties, stronger social capital is a social asset that encourages people to seek vaccination and results in a higher vaccination rate. In contrast, in more conservative counties where the Trump-voting rate reaches 73% and beyond, stronger social capital becomes a social liability for public health by reinforcing residents' hesitancy toward or rejection of vaccinations, leading to a lower vaccination rate. This study implies the need for reducing the pa

SUBMITTER: Zhang Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9434956 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature