OBJECTIVES: Despite vaccine availability, only 54% of Turkey’s population received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine (as of August 23, 2021). The study aims to evaluate attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination mandates and the impact of policies on vaccine adoption and future vaccination behavior utilizing self-determination theory (STD) in Turkey.

METHODS: An online survey was conducted via Sogolytics among adults in Turkey between August 23, 2021, and April 5, 2022. Our primary outcome measures included: (1) psychological need satisfaction and frustration, (2) vaccination behavior, (3) willingness to get vaccinated, (4) attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccine mandates, and (5) motivations to get vaccinated or to remain unvaccinated. We conducted statistical analysis to investigate relationships between psychological needs, willingness, and intention to get vaccinated. Further, we assessed the correlation between need frustration and motivation.

RESULTS: We included 430 participants in our analysis. Of 22 unvaccinated individuals, 73% said they intended to get vaccinated while 27% did not. Furthermore, participants vaccinated with at least one dose of the vaccine were highly willing to receive the vaccine. However, unvaccinated participants were hesitant to do so. Autonomy satisfaction was the strongest predictor of people’s willingness to get vaccinated (β=0.64835; p<0.0001), and relatedness satisfaction was the strongest predictor of one’s intention to get vaccinated (OR=3.597; p=0.0312). Thus, the more people felt autonomy over their decision and the more they felt cared for and understood by authorities, the stronger their willingness and intentions to receive the vaccine. Additionally, the strongest positive correlation was found between autonomy frustration and external motivation.

CONCLUSIONS: Need satisfaction promotes positive vaccination behavior across Turkey’s population; however, control measures like domestic vaccine passports, which cause need frustration, may adversely affect motivation and willingness to get vaccinated.