Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories and Mental Health in the Student Community of Latvia During the COVID-19 Outbreak

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dc.contributor.authorVorobjova, Julija
dc.contributor.authorPilaga, Sindija Mairita
dc.contributor.authorMikelsone, Madara
dc.contributor.authorRancans, Elmars
dc.contributor.authorSmirnova, Daria
dc.contributor.authorFountoulakis, Konstantinos N
dc.contributor.authorVrubļevska, Jeļena
dc.contributor.institutionStatistics Unit
dc.contributor.institutionDepartment of Psychiatry and Narcology
dc.date.accessioned2023-10-17T09:30:02Z
dc.date.available2023-10-17T09:30:02Z
dc.date.issued2023-10
dc.description.abstractBACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate self-reported changes in mental health and their association with various sociodemographic factors and beliefs in conspiracy theories among university and college students in Latvia during the second state of emergency caused by COVID-19. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted as part of an international research project, where university and college students were anonymously asked to complete an online self-report questionnaire. Changes in anxiety and depression were assessed using self-rated questions. Statistical analysis involved Pearson's chi-square test and univariate binary logistic regression.ression. RESULTS: The study comprised 1047 students, with 828 females (79.08% aged 21.71±0.09). Worsening in self-reported anxiety was more prevalent among females (69.3%, p<0.001), unemployed respondents (70.0%, p=0.003), individuals who were were not working during the lockdown (70.3%, p<0.001), those experiencing deterioration in general health condition (93.0%, p<0.001), and those belonging to or having knowledge of someone in a vulnerable group (69.5%, p=0.004). Worsening self-reported depression was more prevalent in respondents who did not work during the lockdown (63.9%, p=0.014) and those with deteriorating general health conditions (93.0%, p<0.001). Increased odds ratios (OR) for experiencing changes in anxiety and depression were associated with beliefs in the following conspiracy theories: 'Recommended measures are an attempt to restrict human rights' (OR=1.49, p=0.019 and OR=2.40, p<0.001, respectively). Furthermore, increased OR for experiencing changes in depression were associated with beliefs in the following conspiracy theories: 'The COVID-19 vaccine was ready before the virus spread' (OR=3.11, p=0.007), 'COVID-19 has a lower mortality rate" (OR=1.85, p<0.001)', 'Recommended measures are an attempt to restrict human rights' (OR=2.40, p<0.001), and 'The COVID-19 outbreak is the creation of world leaders' (OR=2.17, p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported changes in depression and anxiety were associated with certain beliefs in specific conspiracy theories.en
dc.description.statusPeer reviewed
dc.format.extent11
dc.format.extent565678
dc.identifier.citationVorobjova, J, Pilaga, S M, Mikelsone, M, Rancans, E, Smirnova, D, Fountoulakis, K N & Vrubļevska, J 2023, 'Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories and Mental Health in the Student Community of Latvia During the COVID-19 Outbreak', Psychiatria Danubina, vol. 35, no. Suppl. 2, pp. 271-281.
dc.identifier.issn0353-5053
dc.identifier.urihttps://dspace.rsu.lv/jspui/handle/123456789/14916
dc.language.isoeng
dc.relation.ispartofPsychiatria Danubina
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subjectCOVID-19
dc.subjectconspiracy theories
dc.subjectstudents
dc.subjectdepression
dc.subjectanxiety
dc.subject3.1 Basic medicine
dc.subject3.3 Health sciences
dc.subject1.1. Scientific article indexed in Web of Science and/or Scopus database
dc.subjectSDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
dc.titleBeliefs in Conspiracy Theories and Mental Health in the Student Community of Latvia During the COVID-19 Outbreaken
dc.type/dk/atira/pure/researchoutput/researchoutputtypes/contributiontojournal/article

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