Insomnia is associated with conspiracy mentality, psychological distress, and psychological well-being
Poon, K. T., Chan, R. S. W., Liang, J., & Li. L. M. W. (2023). Insomnia is associated with conspiracy mentality, psychological distress, and psychological well-being. Social Science & Medicine, 339, 116384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116384
2022 Impact Factor 5.4 | 5-year Impact Factor 5.8
2022 JCR Rank 4/47, Q1 in Social Sciences, Biomedical
Abstract
Rationale
Conspiracy theories are frequently encountered as they exist across all domains of life, from interpersonal issues in the workplace to global events. Research has primarily focused on uncovering the antecedents of conspiracy beliefs; meanwhile, little research has examined the impacts of possessing a conspiracy mentality.
Objective
In the current research, we examined the relationships of conspiracy mentality with perceived control, insomnia, psychological well-being (i.e., positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and achievement), and psychological distress (i.e., anxiety and depression).
Methods
Participants (N = 388) reported their conspiracy mentality at Time 1 and then completed measures assessing perceived control, insomnia, psychological well-being, and psychological distress 1 month later at Time 2. We conducted regression analyses, structural equation modeling, and bootstrapping analyses to test our predictions that conspiracy mentality predicts insomnia through thwarted perceived control and that this relationship carries direct implications for psychological well-being and distress.
Results
As predicted, regression analyses showed that conspiracy mentality is negatively associated with perceived control and indicators of psychological well-being, and positively associated with insomnia and indicators of psychological distress 1 month later. The results of structural equation modeling and bootstrapping analyses provided empirical support to our theoretical model that perceived control and insomnia serially mediate the relationship between conspiracy mentality and both psychological well-being and psychological distress.
Conclusions
These findings offer important contributions to the literature on conspiracy beliefs. Practically, they offer potential routes of intervention to weaken insomnia and psychological distress and enhance psychological well-being.