The Role of Conspiracy Theories in the Spread of COVID-19 across the United States

Gu, Fengshou; Wu, Yingwen; Hu, Xinyu; Guo, Jianfeng; Yang, Xiaohan; Zhao, Xinze

doi:10.3390/ijerph18073843

Cited by 23 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 37 publications

(43 reference statements)

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“…Furthermore, we show that the reported COVID-19 cases are Granger causal causes of vaccine inoculations in the NN group. Our observation explains the rationality of the negative vaccination–mobility and mobility–cases relations, as the perceived risk of this pandemic is a major driver of self-protective behaviors and vaccine acceptance [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 44 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Vaccinations, Mobility and COVID-19 Transmission

Guo

Deng

2021

IJERPH

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In order to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), 52.4% of the world population had received at least one dose of a vaccine at17 November 2021, but little is known about the non-pharmaceutical aspect of vaccination. Here we empirically examine the impact of vaccination on human behaviors and COVID-19 transmission via structural equation modeling. The results suggest that, from a non-pharmaceutical perspective, the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines is related to human behaviors, in this case, mobility; vaccination slows the spread of COVID-19 in the regions where vaccination is negatively related to mobility, but such an effect is not observed in the regions where vaccination and mobility have positive correlations. This article highlights the significance of mobility in realizing the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines; even with large-scale vaccination, non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as social distancing, are still required to contain the transmission of COVID-19.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Vaccinations, Mobility and COVID-19 Transmission

Guo

Deng

2021

IJERPH

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“…Conspiracy beliefs – especially those regarding science, medicine, and health-related topics – are widespread ( Oliver and Wood, 2014 ), are widely distributed in the social media ( Ahmed et al., 2020 ; Banerjee and Meena, 2021 ) and they challenge the capacity of the average person to distill and assess the content ( Desta and Mulugeta, 2020 ; Duplaga, 2020 ). They exert a well-documented adverse effect on health behaviors, especially vaccination ( Allington et al., 2020 , 2021 ; Bertin et al., 2020 ; Biddlestone et al., 2020 ; Bogart et al., 2010 ; Freeman et al., 2020 ; Gu et al., 2021 ; Jolley and Douglas, 2014 ; Lazarevic et al., 2021 ; Marinthe et al., 2020 ; Romer and Jamieson, 2020 ; Salali and Uysal, 2020 ; Sallam et al., 2020 ; Soveri et al., 2021 ; Teovanovic et al., 2020 ). There seems to be some relationship of believing in bizarre conspiracy theories and psychotic tendencies or history of psychotic disorders ( Jolley and Paterson, 2020 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Results of the COVID-19 mental health international for the general population (COMET-G) study

Fountoulakis¹,

Karakatsoulis²,

Abraham

et al. 2022

European Neuropsychopharmacology

104

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Introduction There are few published empirical data on the effects of COVID‐19 on mental health, and until now, there is no large international study. Material and methods During the COVID-19 pandemic, an online questionnaire gathered data from 55,589 participants from 40 countries (64.85% females aged 35.80 ± 13.61; 34.05% males aged 34.90±13.29 and 1.10% other aged 31.64±13.15). Distress and probable depression were identified with the use of a previously developed cut-off and algorithm respectively. Statistical analysis Descriptive statistics were calculated. Chi-square tests, multiple forward stepwise linear regression analyses and Factorial Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) tested relations among variables. Results Probable depression was detected in 17.80% and distress in 16.71%. A significant percentage reported a deterioration in mental state, family dynamics and everyday lifestyle. Persons with a history of mental disorders had higher rates of current depression (31.82% vs. 13.07%). At least half of participants were accepting (at least to a moderate degree) a non-bizarre conspiracy. The highest Relative Risk (RR) to develop depression was associated with history of Bipolar disorder and self-harm/attempts (RR = 5.88). Suicidality was not increased in persons without a history of any mental disorder. Based on these results a model was developed. Conclusions The final model revealed multiple vulnerabilities and an interplay leading from simple anxiety to probable depression and suicidality through distress. This could be of practical utility since many of these factors are modifiable. Future research and interventions should specifically focus on them.

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“…Few studies examine the moderating effects of conspiracy theories. One such study, by Gu et al [72], finds a moderating rule of beliefs in conspiracy theories; in states with more online attention to COVID-19 conspiracy theories, the negative effects of attention to conspiracy theories are much weaker than in states with less concern about conspiracies.…”

Section: Research Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Paradox of Conspiracy Theory: The Positive Impact of Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories on Preventive Actions and Vaccination Intentions during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Wang

Kim

2021

IJERPH

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This study aims to analyze the direct and indirect impact of beliefs in conspiracy theories on COVID-19-related preventive actions and vaccination intentions. The dominant theory in the literature is that beliefs in conspiracy theories have negative consequences. In particular, strong beliefs in conspiracy theories lower people’s intentions to engage in preventive actions and get vaccinated. Previous studies indicated that this dominant theory applies in Korea as well. However, we find that this dominant theory does not apply in Korea. Based on an analysis of survey data, we find that beliefs in conspiracy theories have positive impact on preventive actions and vaccination intentions. In addition, beliefs in conspiracy theories play indirect roles in these two responses to COVID-19. Specifically, when perceived benefits and trust in the government or science enhance preventive actions or increase vaccination intentions, strong beliefs in conspiracy theories promote this effect. This positive role of conspiracy theories is paradoxical because they are generally viewed as negative.

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The Role of Conspiracy Theories in the Spread of COVID-19 across the United States

Cited by 23 publications

References 37 publications

Vaccinations, Mobility and COVID-19 Transmission

Vaccinations, Mobility and COVID-19 Transmission

Results of the COVID-19 mental health international for the general population (COMET-G) study

The Paradox of Conspiracy Theory: The Positive Impact of Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories on Preventive Actions and Vaccination Intentions during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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