Belief in COVID‐19 Conspiracy Theories Reduces Social Distancing over Time

Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being - Tập 12 Số 4 - Trang 1270-1285 - 2020
Kinga Bierwiaczonek1,2, Jonas R. Kunst1, Olivia Pich1
1University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
2VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Tóm tắt

BackgroundConspiracy theories about the origins of COVID‐19 are widespread and have even been propagated by highly ranked state officials and politicians in the US. Health authorities have cautioned that such theories, although not questioning the existence of the pandemic, may increase the spread of the virus by reducing people's efforts to socially distance.MethodsWe test this proposition empirically using longitudinal survey data collected at five timepoints during the early outbreak of the virus in the US (N = 403).ResultsMultivariate growth curve analyses showed that, although conspiracy beliefs decreased and social distancing increased over time, people holding more conspiracy beliefs at the beginning of the pandemic showed the lowest increase in social distancing. Moreover, cross‐lagged analyses demonstrated that people who reported more conspiracy beliefs at any wave tended to report less social distancing at the following wave.ConclusionsOur findings show that COVID‐19 conspiracy theories pose a significant threat to public health as they may reduce adherence to social distancing measures.

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Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being

Tập 12 Số 4

1270-1285

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