COVID-19 Scientific Facts vs. Conspiracy Theories: Is Science Failing to Pass Its Message?

Marios Constantinou, Antonios Kagialis and Maria Karekla
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Marios Constantinou: Department of Social Sciences, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia 2417, Cyprus
Antonios Kagialis: Department of Social Sciences, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia 2417, Cyprus
Maria Karekla: Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-10

Abstract: Science may be failing to convince a significant number of people about COVID-19 scientific facts and needed public health measures. Individual and social factors are behind believing conspiracy theories. Adults (N = 1001) were asked to rate their beliefs in various conspiracy theories circulating in social media, rate their psychological distress relating to COVID-19, rate their trust in science to solve COVID-19 problems, and rate their willingness to adhere to measures regarding social distancing and quarantine. The findings showed conspiracy theories are widely believed and related to lower age, lower education, living in less densely populated areas, and lower income. Stronger conspiracy theory beliefs predicted science mistrust and unwillingness to adhere to public health measures. Psychological state was a strong predictor of conspiracy beliefs. Recommendations, stemming from the findings, for reducing such beliefs and better serving public health are discussed.

Keywords: COVID-19; conspiracy theories; psychological state; public health; social distancing; quarantine measures (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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