RT Journal Article
T1 Suspicious minds: exploring the commonalities and differences among conspiracy beliefs, paranoid beliefs, and conspiracy mentality in a nationally representative sample
A1 Trucharte Martínez, Almudena
A1 Peinado Tena, Vanesa
A1 Valiente Ots, M. Carmen
A1 Contreras, Alba
A1 Espinosa, Regina
A1 Shevlin, Mark
A1 Vázquez Valverde, Carmelo José
AB Background: Despite the theoretical overlap between conspiracy beliefs, paranoid beliefs, and conspiracy mentality, their distinctions remain insufficiently understood. This study explored these constructs and their clinical significance within a nationally representative sample (N = 1497).Methods: We measured sociodemographic and psychological variables early in the COVID-19 pandemic (T1) and assessed conspiracy beliefs, paranoid beliefs, and conspiracy mentality one year later (T2), during a period of heightened visibility of these beliefs. This longitudinal design allowed us to analyse how early factors shaped these belief systems. We conducted factor analyses and regression models to disentangle their relationships and identify distinct predictors.Results: Conspiracy beliefs, paranoid beliefs, and conspiracy mentality emerged as distinct constructs. We found that paranoid beliefs were more strongly associated with psychological factors (e.g. anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty), whereas conspiracy beliefs were driven by sociopolitical variables (e.g. income, political ideology). We identified external locus of control as the sole predictor of conspiracy mentality. Few participants showed strong endorsement of coronavirus conspiracy beliefs, which followed a skewed distribution similar to paranoid beliefs in the general population.Discussion: These findings highlight the importance of tailored interventions targeting specific predictors, with critical implications for mental health and public health strategies.
PB Routledge
SN 1752-2439
YR 2025
FD 2025-11-10
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/129403
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/129403
LA eng
NO Trucharte, A., Peinado, V., Valiente, C., Contreras, A., Espinosa, R., Shevlin, M., & Vazquez, C. (2025). Suspicious minds: Exploring the commonalities and differences among conspiracy beliefs, paranoid beliefs, and conspiracy mentality in a nationally representative sample. Psychosis, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/17522439.2025.2573476
NO This research was supported, in part, by grants from the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness [PSI2016-74987-P] and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III grants [COV20/00737-CM] and funds from the UCM for consolidated research groups [GR29/20]. Almudena Trucharte had a UCM doctoral fellowship [CT42/18] and Vanesa Peinado had a Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness doctoral Fellowship [BES-2017082015].
NO Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (España)
NO Instituto de Salud Carlos III
DS Docta Complutense
RD 19 mar 2026