학술논문
Just a Flu? Self-perceived infection mediates the link between conspiracy beliefs and Covid-19 health beliefs and behaviors.
Document Type
Article
Source
Subject
*COVID-19
*IMMUNIZATION
*INTUITION
*HEALTH attitudes
*HEALTH behavior
*SOCIAL distancing
*INTENTION
*COVID-19 pandemic
*TRUST
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Language
ISSN
1359-1053
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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]