Are informal caregivers more likely to believe in conspiracy theories during the COVID-19 pandemic? Findings of a representative study from Germany
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Are informal caregivers more likely to believe in conspiracy theories during the COVID-19 pandemic? Findings of a representative study from Germany. / Zwar, Larissa; König, Hans-Helmut; Hajek, André.
In: AGING MENT HEALTH, Vol. 27, No. 3, 03.2023, p. 588-594.Research output: SCORING: Contribution to journal › SCORING: Journal article › Research › peer-review
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T1 - Are informal caregivers more likely to believe in conspiracy theories during the COVID-19 pandemic? Findings of a representative study from Germany
AU - Zwar, Larissa
AU - König, Hans-Helmut
AU - Hajek, André
PY - 2023/3
Y1 - 2023/3
N2 - OBJECTIVES: This study analyzed the conspiracy mentality of informal caregivers for older persons compared to non-caregivers and whether this association was dependent on age.METHODS: The sample was collected randomly from a population-based online panel (forsa.omninet) and represents individuals aged ≥40 years from Germany. In total, 3022 participants were questioned about conspiracy mentality (Conspiracy Mentality Questionnaire), informal care provision (N = 489 informal caregivers of older adults), and sociodemographic background. Data assessment took place between 4th and 19th March 2021 and the questions referred to the time between December 2020 and March 2021.RESULTS: No significant differences were found between informal caregivers and non-caregivers. A significant interaction effect was found, indicating a decrease of conspiracy mentality among non-caregivers and an increase among informal caregivers with higher age. After stratifying by gender, this effect was found only among female informal caregivers.CONCLUSION: Middle-aged informal caregivers had a lower, and older-aged a higher, susceptibility to conspiracy theories during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to non-caregivers. The results indicate that providing care could be protective among middle-aged individuals, whereas older informal caregivers may benefit from interventions to reduce susceptibility to conspiracy theories and the associated risks for health and wellbeing.
AB - OBJECTIVES: This study analyzed the conspiracy mentality of informal caregivers for older persons compared to non-caregivers and whether this association was dependent on age.METHODS: The sample was collected randomly from a population-based online panel (forsa.omninet) and represents individuals aged ≥40 years from Germany. In total, 3022 participants were questioned about conspiracy mentality (Conspiracy Mentality Questionnaire), informal care provision (N = 489 informal caregivers of older adults), and sociodemographic background. Data assessment took place between 4th and 19th March 2021 and the questions referred to the time between December 2020 and March 2021.RESULTS: No significant differences were found between informal caregivers and non-caregivers. A significant interaction effect was found, indicating a decrease of conspiracy mentality among non-caregivers and an increase among informal caregivers with higher age. After stratifying by gender, this effect was found only among female informal caregivers.CONCLUSION: Middle-aged informal caregivers had a lower, and older-aged a higher, susceptibility to conspiracy theories during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to non-caregivers. The results indicate that providing care could be protective among middle-aged individuals, whereas older informal caregivers may benefit from interventions to reduce susceptibility to conspiracy theories and the associated risks for health and wellbeing.
U2 - 10.1080/13607863.2022.2102141
DO - 10.1080/13607863.2022.2102141
M3 - SCORING: Journal article
C2 - 35862616
VL - 27
SP - 588
EP - 594
JO - AGING MENT HEALTH
JF - AGING MENT HEALTH
SN - 1360-7863
IS - 3
ER -