TY - JOUR
T1 - Belief in COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories Reduces Social Distancing over Time
AU - Bierwiaczonek, Kinga
AU - Kunst, Jonas R.
AU - Pich, Olivia
PY - 2020/12
Y1 - 2020/12
N2 - Background: Conspiracy 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. Methods: We test this proposition empirically using longitudinal survey data collected at five timepoints during the early outbreak of the virus in the US (N = 403). Results: Multivariate 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. Conclusions: Our findings show that COVID-19 conspiracy theories pose a significant threat to public health as they may reduce adherence to social distancing measures.
AB - Background: Conspiracy 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. Methods: We test this proposition empirically using longitudinal survey data collected at five timepoints during the early outbreak of the virus in the US (N = 403). Results: Multivariate 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. Conclusions: Our findings show that COVID-19 conspiracy theories pose a significant threat to public health as they may reduce adherence to social distancing measures.
KW - conspiracy theories
KW - COVID-19
KW - longitudinal
KW - social distancing
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U2 - 10.1111/aphw.12223
DO - 10.1111/aphw.12223
M3 - Article
C2 - 32864837
AN - SCOPUS:85089967297
VL - 12
SP - 1270
EP - 1285
JO - Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being
JF - Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being
SN - 1758-0846
IS - 4
ER -