Conspiracy Beliefs about Groups Benefitting from the COVID-19 Pandemic Moderate the Relationship Between Fear of COVID-19 and Subjective Assessment of the Efficacy of Preventive Measures

Abstract

Drawing on the protective motivation theory and parallel response model, in this cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study (N = 212) carried out on a sample of the general public (age 18-65), we aimed to test the potential interaction effects of fear of COVID-19 and conspiracy beliefs about groups benefitting from the COVID-19 pandemic in predicting subjective assessment of the efficacy of three COVID-19 preventive measures. The results have shown that fear of COVID-19 was positively related to a positive assessment of the efficacy of frequent disinfection of hands and surfaces, but only in people who had COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs on an average or high level. However, on all levels of COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs, fear of COVID-19 related positively to a positive assessment of mask wearing and social distancing efficacy, however, to a different extent. We discuss the results in light of the protective motivation theory and the affiliation function of COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs and conforming to the prevention guidelines.