{
  "abstract": "BackgroundCOVID-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.\n\nMethodsA 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.\n\nResultsHigher 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).\n\nConclusionsPersonality 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.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Saga University"
  ],
  "article_type": "PUBLISHAHEADOFPRINT",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 3,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "M. Takamatsu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "M. Tokiya"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Hara"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7062hemerawzp.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.10.04.26363389",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.04.26363389v1.full",
  "id": "7062hemerawzp",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.04.26363389v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "medrxiv",
      "epidemiology"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "3306|Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7220948807",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.04.26363389v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-04",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7062hemerawzp.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:20Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.10.04.26363389",
      "source": "medrxiv",
      "url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.04.26363389v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "medrxiv:epidemiology",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
    }
  ],
  "title": "The role of personality traits in COVID-19 vaccination: A socio-cultural and gender-stratified analysis in Japan",
  "title_text": "The role of personality traits in COVID-19 vaccination: A socio-cultural and gender-stratified analysis in Japan",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:20:20Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7062hemerawzp",
  "venue": "medRxiv",
  "versions": []
}