Beliefs of Turkish University Students in COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories: The Role of Fear of COVID-19 and Political Orientation

Year 2023, , 37 - 51, 25.02.2023

Ender Akyol , Abdullah Atli

https://doi.org/10.21076/vizyoner.1100806

Cited By: 1

Abstract

The main purpose of the study is to determine the level of Turkish university students' belief in the COVID-19 conspiracy theories. The study involves 676 university students from 52 cities in Turkey who are 18 to 36 years old (M = 22.21 years, SD = 2.65). The research is structured in two stages: Study 1 and Study 2. In Study 1, a valid and reliable measuring tool called the COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories Scale (CTCV-19S) is developed to determine the extent to which students believe in COVID-19 conspiracy theories. In Study 2, on the other hand, the level of Turkish university students' belief in COVID-19 conspiracy theories is examined using the CTCV-19S within the framework of the role of fear of COVID-19 fear and political orientation. As a result, it is found that Turkish university students believed in COVID-19 conspiracy theories at a higher rate than the general population, and there is a positive relationship between COVID-19 fear and COVID-19 conspiracy theories. It is also found that students with right-wing political views are more prone to believe in COVID-19 conspiracy theories. 

Keywords

COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories, COVID-19 Fear, Political Orientation, University Students

Supporting Institution

İnönü Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma Projeleri (BAP) Birimi

Project Number

CAP-2021-2599

Thanks

The study is supported by Research Fund of the Inonu University (Project No: CAP-2021-2599).

Türk Üniversite Öğrencilerinin COVID-19 Komplo Teorilerine İnançları: COVID-19 Korkusu ve Politik Eğilimin Rolü

Abstract

Bu çalışma temel olarak Türk üniversite öğrencilerinin COVID-19 komplo teorilerine hangi düzeyde inandıklarını belirlemeyi amaçlamaktır. Araştırmaya Türkiye’nin 52 şehrinden yaşları 18 ile 36 yaşları arasında (ort = 22.21 yaş, SS = 2.65) olan 676 üniversite öğrencisi katıldı. Bu araştırma Çalışma 1 ve Çalışma 2 olmak üzere iki aşamada yapılandırıldı. Çalışma 1’de COVID-19 komplo teorilerine ne düzeyde inanıldığını belirlemeyi amaçlayan COVID-19 Komplo Teorileri Ölçeği (CV-19 KTÖ) adında geçerli ve güvenilir bir ölçme aracı geliştirildi. Çalışma 2’de ise geliştirilen CV-19 KTÖ ile Türk üniversite öğrencilerinin COVID-19 komplo teorilerine ne düzeyde inandıkları, COVID-19 korkusu ve politik eğilimin rolü çerçevesinde incelendi. Sonuç olarak Türk üniversite öğrencilerinin COVID-19 komplo teorilerine ortalamanın üzerinde inandıkları, COVID-19 korkusu ile COVID-19 komplo teorileri arasında pozitif ilişki tespit edildi. Ayrıca kendisini sağda konumlandıran öğrencilerin COVID-19 komplo teorilerine daha çok inandıkları bulgulandı.

Keywords

COVID-19 Komplo Teorileri, COVID-19 Korkusu, Politik Eğilim, Üniversite Öğrencileri

Project Number

CAP-2021-2599

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