1
|
Adamus M, Ballová Mikušková E, Kohut M. Conspire to one's own detriment: Strengthening HPV Program Support Through Debunking Epistemically Suspect Beliefs. Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2024. [PMID: 38923394 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The study experimentally tested an intervention that debunks epistemically suspect beliefs about vaccines. After answering questions about pre-existing epistemically suspect beliefs (irrational health beliefs and conspiracy mentality), 565 participants were randomly assigned into one of three conditions and exposed either to neutral information about domestic animals, salient epistemically suspect content about vaccination or an intervention that debunks epistemically suspect beliefs about vaccination. Afterwards, the participants answered questions about vaccination-related conspiracy narratives (manipulation check), vaccination attitudes, intentions to vaccinate against HPV, support for an HPV vaccination programme and intentions to seek health guidance. Although the intervention demonstrated the potential to inhibit the endorsement of conspiracy narratives, we found no differences in the other outcome variables. Nevertheless, across the conditions, pre-existing epistemically suspect beliefs were associated with less favourable attitudes towards vaccination, lower intentions to vaccinate against HPV, less support for the vaccination programme and lower intentions to seek health guidance. The results indicate that debunking may be futile in curbing long-term negative impacts associated with epistemically suspect beliefs, and they contribute to the debate about assessing the effectiveness of interventions related to highly controversial topics such as vaccination. The study enhances understanding of persistent adverse impacts that epistemically suspect beliefs may have on public health outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Adamus
- Faculty of Economics and Administration, Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia
- Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovakia
| | | | - Michal Kohut
- Faculty of Philosophy and Arts, University of Trnava, Trnava, Slovakia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Alper S, Yelbuz BE, Akkurt SB, Yilmaz O. The positive association of education with the trust in science and scientists is weaker in highly corrupt countries. PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE (BRISTOL, ENGLAND) 2024; 33:2-19. [PMID: 37306012 DOI: 10.1177/09636625231176935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
One of the most prominent correlates of trust in science and scientists is education level, possibly because educated individuals have higher levels of science knowledge and thinking ability, suggesting that trusting science and scientists relies more on reflective thinking abilities. However, it is relatively more reasonable for highly educated individuals to suspect authority figures in highly corrupt countries. We tested this prediction in two nationally representative and probabilistic cross-cultural data sets (Study 1: 142 countries, N = 40,085; Study 2: 47 countries, N = 69,332), and found that the positive association between education and trust in scientists (Study 1) and science (Study 2) was weaker or non-existent in highly corrupt countries. The results did not change after statistically controlling for age, sex, household income, and residence. We suggest future research to be more considerate of the societal context in understanding how education status correlates with trust in science and scientists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Busra Elif Yelbuz
- Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law, Germany
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Knezevic G, Lazarević L, Purić D, Zupan Z, Žeželj I. Prevalence of questionable health behaviours in Serbia and their psychological roots: protocol for a nationally representative survey. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e075274. [PMID: 37827738 PMCID: PMC11148696 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We will launch a national survey in Serbia to document the prevalence of two types of questionable health behaviours: (1) intentional non-adherence to medical recommendations and (2) use of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine practices, as well as the relation between the two. We will also investigate their psychological roots, including (a) 'distal' predictors such as HEXACO personality traits (plus Disintegration) and thinking dispositions (rational/experiential thinking and cognitive reflexivity), and (b) 'proximal' predictors under the umbrella 'irrational mindset' (set of unfounded beliefs consisting of conspiratorial thinking, superstition, magical health beliefs as well as selected cognitive biases), which have more content-wise overlap with the health behaviours. METHODS AND ANALYSIS In this cross-sectional study, a research agency will collect data from a nationally representative sample (n=1043; age 18-75 years; estimated start/end-June/November 2021) recruited online (approximately, 70% of the sample, aged 18-54; 11 years) and face-to-face (approximately, 30% of the sample, aged 55-75 years). Participants will complete a battery of tests assessing questionable health behaviours, basic personality traits, thinking dispositions, irrational mindset, sociopolitical beliefs, sociodemographic and health-related variables. Prevalence rates will be calculated using descriptive statistics. To explore the relation between (psychological) predictors and questionable health behaviours, we will use hierarchical regression and partial mediation models (path analysis or full SEM models). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical Committees of the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade (#935/1), Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation (#139/1) and Faculty of Media and Communications (#228) approved the protocol. Only participants who provide informed consent will participate in the study. A research report based on the study results will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals and results will be made available to stakeholders through reports on the project website https://reasonforhealth.f.bg.ac.rs/en/ and disseminated via social media. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT05808660.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Goran Knezevic
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ljiljana Lazarević
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Danka Purić
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Zorana Zupan
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Iris Žeželj
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lazarević LB, Knežević G, Purić D, Teovanović P, Petrović MB, Ninković M, Živanović M, Stanković S, Branković M, Lukić P, Opačić G, Žeželj I. Tracking variations in daily questionable health behaviors and their psychological roots: a preregistered experience sampling study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14058. [PMID: 37640927 PMCID: PMC10462719 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41243-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
People resort to various questionable health practices to preserve or regain health - they intentionally do not adhere to medical recommendations (e.g. self-medicate or modify the prescribed therapies; iNAR), or use traditional/complementary/alternative (TCAM) medicine. As retrospective reports overestimate adherence and suffer from recall and desirability bias, we tracked the variations in daily questionable health behaviors and compared them to their retrospectively reported lifetime use. We also preregistered and explored their relations to a wide set of psychological predictors - distal (personality traits and basic thinking dispositions) and proximal (different unfounded beliefs and biases grouped under the term irrational mindset). A community sample (N = 224) tracked daily engagement in iNAR and TCAM use for 14 days, resulting in 3136 data points. We observed a high rate of questionable health practices over the 14 days; daily engagement rates roughly corresponded to lifetime ones. Both iNAR and TCAM were weakly, but robustly positively related. Independent of the assessment method, an irrational mindset was the most important predictor of TCAM use. For iNAR, however, psychological predictors emerged as relevant only when assessed retrospectively. Our study offers insight into questionable health behaviors from both a within and between-person perspective and highlights the importance of their psychological roots.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L B Lazarević
- Faculty of Philosophy, Institute of Psychology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Philosophy, Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - G Knežević
- Faculty of Philosophy, Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Psychology, University of Belgrade, Čika Ljubina 18-20, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - D Purić
- Faculty of Philosophy, Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Psychology, University of Belgrade, Čika Ljubina 18-20, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - P Teovanović
- Faculty of Philosophy, Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - M B Petrović
- Faculty of Philosophy, Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Psychology, University of Belgrade, Čika Ljubina 18-20, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - M Ninković
- Faculty of Philosophy, Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Psychology, University of Belgrade, Čika Ljubina 18-20, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - M Živanović
- Faculty of Philosophy, Institute of Psychology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Philosophy, Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - S Stanković
- Faculty of Philosophy, Institute of Psychology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Philosophy, Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - M Branković
- Faculty of Philosophy, Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Media and Communication, Singidunum University, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - P Lukić
- Faculty of Philosophy, Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Psychology, University of Belgrade, Čika Ljubina 18-20, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - G Opačić
- Faculty of Philosophy, Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Psychology, University of Belgrade, Čika Ljubina 18-20, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - I Žeželj
- Faculty of Philosophy, Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
- Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Psychology, University of Belgrade, Čika Ljubina 18-20, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Purić D, Petrović MB, Živanović M, Lukić P, Zupan Z, Branković M, Ninković M, Lazarević LB, Stanković S, Žeželj I. Development of a novel instrument for assessing intentional non-adherence to official medical recommendations (iNAR-12): a sequential mixed-methods study in Serbia. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e069978. [PMID: 37369402 PMCID: PMC10410978 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to (1) develop a novel instrument, suitable for the general population, capturing intentional non-adherence (iNAR), consisting of non-adherence to prescribed therapy, self-medication and avoidance of seeking medical treatment; (2) differentiate it from other forms of non-adherence, for example, smoking; and (3) relate iNAR to patient-related factors, such as sociodemographics, health status and endorsement of irrational beliefs (conspiratorial thinking and superstitions) and to healthcare-related beliefs and experiences ((mis)trust and negative experiences with the healthcare system, normalisation of patient passivity). DESIGN То generate iNAR items, we employed a focus group with medical doctors, supplemented it with a literature search and invited a public health expert to refine it further. We examined the internal structure and predictors of iNAR in an observational study. SETTING Data were collected online using snowball sampling and social networks. PARTICIPANTS After excluding those who failed one or more out of three attention checks, the final sample size was n=583 adult Serbian citizens, 74.4% female, mean age 39.01 years (SD=12.10). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES The primary, planned outcome is the iNAR Questionnaire, while smoking was used for comparison purposes. RESULTS Factor analysis yielded a one-factor solution, and the final 12-item iNAR Questionnaire had satisfactory internal reliability (alpha=0.72). Health condition and healthcare-related variables accounted for 14% of the variance of iNAR behaviours, whereas sociodemographics and irrational beliefs did not additionally contribute. CONCLUSIONS We constructed a brief yet comprehensive measure of iNAR behaviours and related them to health and sociodemographic variables and irrational beliefs. The findings suggest that public health interventions should attempt to improve patients' experiences with the system and build trust with their healthcare practitioners rather than aim at specific demographic groups or at correcting patients' unfounded beliefs. STUDY REGISTRATION The design and confirmatory analyses plan were preregistered (https://osf.io/pnugm).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Purić
- Department of Psychology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - M B Petrović
- Department of Psychology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - M Živanović
- Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Institute for Psychology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - P Lukić
- Department of Psychology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Z Zupan
- Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Institute for Psychology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - M Branković
- Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory, Belgrade, Serbia
- Singidunum University, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - M Ninković
- Department of Psychology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - L B Lazarević
- Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Institute for Psychology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - S Stanković
- Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Institute for Psychology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - I Žeželj
- Department of Psychology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| |
Collapse
|