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COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs, health behaviors, and policy support.
Earnshaw, Valerie A; Eaton, Lisa A; Kalichman, Seth C; Brousseau, Natalie M; Hill, E Carly; Fox, Annie B.
  • Earnshaw VA; Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
  • Eaton LA; Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
  • Kalichman SC; Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
  • Brousseau NM; Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
  • Hill EC; Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
  • Fox AB; Center for Interprofessional Studies and Innovation, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA, USA.
Transl Behav Med ; 10(4): 850-856, 2020 10 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-756965
ABSTRACT
Conspiracy theories have been proliferating during the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence suggests that belief in conspiracy theories undermines engagement in pro-health behaviors and support for public health policies. Moreover, previous work suggests that inoculating messages from opinion leaders that expose conspiracy theories as false before people are exposed to them can help to prevent belief in new conspiracies. Goals of this study were to (a) explore associations between COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs with SARS-CoV-2 vaccine intentions, cooperation with public health recommendations, and support for public health policies among U.S. adults and (b) investigate trusted sources of COVID-19 information to inform strategies to address conspiracy beliefs. A cross-sectional, online survey was conducted with 845 U.S. adults in April 2020. Data were analyzed using analyses of variance and multivariable regressions. One-third (33%) of participants believed one or more conspiracies about COVID-19. Participants who believed conspiracies reported that their intentions to vaccinate were 3.9 times lower and indicated less support for COVID-19 public health policies than participants who disbelieved conspiracies. There were no differences in cooperation with public health recommendations by conspiracy belief endorsement in the multivariable regression analysis. Although there were some key differences in trusted sources of COVID-19 information, doctor(s) were the most trusted source of information about COVID-19 overall with 90% of participants trusting doctor(s). Doctor(s) may play a role in addressing COVID-19 conspiracy theories before people are exposed to them to promote COVID-19 prevention efforts.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pneumonia, Viral / Public Policy / Health Behavior / Vaccination / Coronavirus Infections / Cooperative Behavior / Trust / Pandemics Type of study: Observational study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Vaccines Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: Transl Behav Med Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Tbm

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pneumonia, Viral / Public Policy / Health Behavior / Vaccination / Coronavirus Infections / Cooperative Behavior / Trust / Pandemics Type of study: Observational study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Vaccines Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: Transl Behav Med Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Tbm