Factors Influencing Beliefs in COVID-۱۹ Conspiracy Theories: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Threat Perceptions and Personality Traits

The COVID-۱۹ pandemic has been accompanied by a proliferation of conspiracy theories, which can have negative consequences for public health and social cohesion. Understanding the psychological factors associated with these beliefs is crucial for developing effective interventions. This study examined the relationships between demographic variables, threat perceptions, knowledge about COVID-۱۹, conspiracy thinking, and personality traits.A diverse sample of ۳۱۵ adults (۷۰.۵% male, mean age ۳۹.۴۶ years) completed an online survey measuring threat perceptions, COVID-۱۹ knowledge, conspiracy thinking, and the Big Five personality traits. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data.Age had a positive correlation with COVID-۱۹ knowledge (r=۰.۰۳۴) but was largely unrelated to other variables. Gender and education level showed minimal associations with threat perceptions, conspiracy thinking, and personality traits. Threat perceptions had a positive correlation with conspiracy thinking (r=۰.۶۰۴), suggesting that perceiving COVID-۱۹ as a greater threat was slightly associated with endorsing related conspiracy theories. Highly extroverted participants perceived COVID-۱۹ as less of a threat compared to introverted participants (p=۰.۰۰۱). However, personality traits were not significantly associated with most other variables.Demographic factors and personality traits showed limited direct relationships with COVID-۱۹ conspiracy beliefs. However, the perception of the threat posed by the pandemic may play a small role in shaping these beliefs. Longitudinal research is needed to further elucidate these relationships and their implications for public health interventions targeting conspiracy theories during pandemics.

کلیدواژه ها:

COVID-۱۹ ، Conspiracy Theories ، Threat Perceptions ، Personality Traits