Young Adults’ Conspiracy Beliefs, Fear, and Preventive Behaviors During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study investigated how COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs are linked with adoption of preventive behaviors over time, and whether fear of COVID-19 is a potential moderator for this relation. A sample of 424 young adults (89.2% females, M age = 20.89) completed measures assessing COVID-19-related conspiracy beliefs and preventive behaviors during the second wave of the pandemic, at Time 1, and 352 returned six months later, at Time 2, and completed measures assessing their COVID-19 fear and preventive behaviors. Our findings indicated that higher levels of conspiracy beliefs predicted lower adoption of preventive behaviors over time. Participants who reported higher fear of COVID-19 adopted more preventive behaviors at Time 2. The link between conspiracy beliefs and adoption of preventive behaviors was moderated by COVID-19 fear. Participants who reported higher levels of conspiracy beliefs at Time 1 adopted fewer preventive behaviors at Time 2 only if they experienced lower or medium levels of COVID-19 fear, but not if they experienced high levels of fear. By contrast, participants who reported lower levels of conspiracy beliefs at Time 1 adopted more preventive behaviors at Time 2 regardless of their level of COVID-19 fear. Our findings highlight the importance of countering misinformation and relatively high levels of fear in supporting young adults’ positive public attitudes towards protective measures during the pandemic.