Mistrust and Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories Differently Mediate the Effects of Psychological Factors on Propensity for COVID-19 Vaccine

• DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.683684
• Publication Date: 2021-07-07T04:41:51Z
• Authors: Luca Simione; Monia Vagni; Camilla Gnagnarella; Giuseppe Bersani; Daniela Pajardi
• Keywords: Worry; Psychoticism; Death anxiety

Vaccination is considered a key factor in the sanitary resolution of COVID-19 pandemic. However, vaccine hesitancy can undermine its diffusion with severe consequences on global health. While beliefs conspiracy theories, mistrust science and policymakers, official information channels may also increment hesitancy, understanding their psychological causes could improve our capacity to respond Thus, we designed cross-sectional study aim probing propensity Italian population explored relationship sociodemographic variables, misbeliefs COVID-19. A battery questionnaires was administered sample 374 adults during first national lockdown (April 2020). The materials included an original instrument—Beliefs Inventory—and measuring perceived stress, anxiety, death distress, psychoticism, paranoia, anger, somatization. exploratory analysis (EFA) Beliefs suggested existence three factors: belief medical information, medicine science. These factors were positively correlated female sex, age, religious beliefs, psychiatric conditions, while negatively education levels. We conducted mediation by means structural equation model, including as predictors, scales mediators, outcome. model showed that anxiety had direct positive effect get vaccinated. It reduced vaccinated through mediated path believing whereas paranoia linked reduction vaccination adherence Psychological distress increasing both mistrust. On other hand, increased decrease theories Our results suggest dimensions are differentially related science, Based this result, propose interpretation how build paranoid suspicious attitude. discuss possible clinical implications treatment for such pathological beliefs.