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

Authors : Ender AKYOL, Abdullah ATLİ

Pages : 37-51

Doi:10.21076/vizyoner.1100806

View : 7 | Download : 8

Publication Date : 2023-02-25

Article Type : Research Paper

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 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(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 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(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 Komplo Teorileri, COVID 19 Korkusu, Politik Eğilim, Üniversite Öğrencileri