Abstract
The Covid-19 pandemic has inspired many conspiracy theories, which are associated with detrimental health beliefs and behaviors (e.g. reduced physical distancing; decreased vaccination intentions). We propose a previously unrecognized mediator of these relationships: A self-perceived likelihood to already have experienced a Covid-19 infection. Results from a large sample (N = 9033) revealed that self-perceived infections mediated the link between conspiracy beliefs and health beliefs and behaviors. These findings emerged independently of institutional distrust, and actual infections as indicated by a positive medical test. These findings suggest that conspiracy beliefs shape people's interpretation of the physical signals of their own body.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 13591053211051816 |
Pages (from-to) | 1421-1431 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Journal of Health Psychology |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 6 |
Early online date | 20 Oct 2021 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 2022 |
Keywords
- Covid-19
- conspiracy theories
- health beliefs and behaviors
- infection
- institutional trust
- PARANOIA
- IDEATION