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.
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 |
|---|---|
| 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 - 2022 |
