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How to Cite
Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic and Conspiracy Belief on Psychological Distress in University Students
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate how conspiracy beliefs convince people to believe unreal stories leading to psychological distress. An online survey was conducted using a questionnaire. The researchers adopted A generic conspiracist beliefs scale (GCBS) by Brotherton et al. (2013), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21) by Lovibond and Lovibond (1995), The Death Anxiety Scale (DAS) by Templer (1970), and self-made questionnaire. Six hundred and sixty-four university students have participated in this study. The participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. The major findings of this study reveal that participants believe in a different conspiracy rather than scientific reasoning about COVID-19 such as it is laboratory accident (71%), bioweapon (76%), and elites’ strategy for business (68%). Participants' level of conspiracy belief M = (M = 3.892) leads to psychological distress among them. It is recommended that sound rationality, flawless communication, and awareness strategies must be implemented to dispel propaganda and conspiracies about COVID-19.
Authors
Nadia Rafique
Headmistress, Government M.C Girls High School, Millat Colony Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
Khaliq Hussain
Ph. D Scholar, Department of Education, Government College University Faisalabad, Punjab, Punjab, Pakistan
Nosheen Gul
M. Phil Scholar, Department of Education, Riphah International University Faisalabad, Punjab, Punjab, Pakistan
Keywords
Conspiracy Belief, COVID-19, Death anxiety, Psychological Distress, University Students
