Are informal caregivers more likely to believe in conspiracy theories during the COVID-19 pandemic?: Findings of a representative study from Germany

Abstract

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 4^th and 19^th 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.

Keywords:

• conspiracy belief
• conspiracy ideation
• conspiracy mentality
• informal care
• old age
• COVID-19
• pandemic

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Funding was received from the research funding program for early career researchers (FFM) of the Faculty of Medicine, Universität Hamburg.