Conspiracy Theories, Trust in Science, and Knowledge during the Third Wave of the Covid-19 Pandemic in Cyprus
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15510057 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Marilena Mousoulidou (0000-0002-3549-2522, Neapolis University Pafos, corresponding author), Michailina Siakalli (Neapolis University Pafos), Andri Christodoulou (0000-0002-3281-3327, Neapolis University Pafos), Marios Argyrides (0000-0002-9936-7229, Neapolis University Pafos) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue | 17 |
| Pages | 6710-6710 |
| Publication date | 2023-09-04 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601 |
| Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3390/ijerph20176710 |
| PMID | 37681850 |
| OpenAlex | W4386423003 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 50 |
Conspiracy theories flourish during periods of crisis. One way to counteract the believability of conspiracy theories is trust in science and knowledge about the "perceived threat", such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus. A total of 363 adults from Cyprus were recruited via convenience and snowball sampling methods. The data were collected via an internet-based questionnaire that examined participants' belief in 17 conspiracy theory statements, trust in science and scientists, knowledge about the symptoms and the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, phobic anxiety, hostility, somatization, and personality traits based on the Big Five. The results suggest (a) the overall belief in conspiracy theories in Cyprus is low, even though a notable percentage holds a neutral stance towards these theories; (b) trust in science and knowledge about the symptoms and the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is negatively related to conspiracy theories, indicating the importance of trusting science and having knowledge as a means to counteract conspiracy theories; (c) young adults, those residing in rural areas, and those with a low education level are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories; (d) there are no significant associations between conspiracy theories and the psychological dimensions of phobic anxiety, hostility, and somatization; (e) there is difficulty in identifying specific traits related to conspiracy ideation. Public health officials could benefit from the findings when communicating information during periods of crisis
Alternative medicine · Anxiety · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Hostility · Pandemic · Pseudoscience · Psychiatry · Snowball sampling · Somatization · Medicine · Misinformation and Its Impacts · Psychology · Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment · Social Psychology · Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
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Mandatory Covid-19 Vaccination for Healthcare Professionals and Its Association With General Vaccination Knowledge
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Social media and vaccine hesitancy
Unsusceptible to Social Communication? The Fixture of the Factors Predicting Decisions on Different Vaccinations
On the Disposition to Think Analytically
Cross-National Comparison of Religion as a Predictor of Covid-19 Vaccination Rates
Changing Conceptions of Conspiracy
Unanswered questions
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Measuring Individual Differences in Generic Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories Across Cultures
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Unwillingness to engage in behaviors that protect against Covid-19
Misinformation about Covid-19
Antecedents and consequences of Covid-19 conspiracy beliefs
Fact-checking as risk communication
A very brief measure of the Big-Five personality domains
An Introduction to the Five-Factor Model and Its Applications
Understanding Conspiracy Theories
Conspiracist ideation in Britain and Austria
How scientific reasoning correlates with health-related beliefs and behaviors during the Covid-19 pandemic
Cultural Authority in Comparative Context
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |