The present research empirically examines how different types of coping strategies are associated with belief in conspiracy theories. Conspiracy beliefs have been linked to the frustration of basic needs and seem to increase during major world events that evoke stress. Thus, we hypothesized that they may serve as a psychological response to maladaptive coping strategies. This hypothesis was tested among British participants and conceptually replicated across three studies. Cross-sectionally, we examined coping strategies (i.e., self-sufficient, social-support, avoidance, and religious) and belief in a specific conspiracy theory (Study 1, n = 199) and belief in general notions of conspiracy (Study 2, n = 411). In Study 3 (n = 398), we experimentally primed different coping styles via a mnemonic recollection procedure and measured belief in notions of conspiracy. Avoidance coping (recognized as being maladaptive and leading to at least temporary disengagement and abandonment of goal-related behaviours) positively predicted belief in conspiracy theories (Studies 1 and 2). In Study 3, priming avoidance coping (vs. self-sufficient coping or no coping strategy) significantly increased belief in conspiracy theories. These findings suggest that using maladaptive coping strategies (either dispositional or situationally induced) may foster conspiracy beliefs.

中文翻译：

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从坏到坏：避免应对压力会增加阴谋信念

本研究实证检验了不同类型的应对策略如何与对阴谋论的信念相关联。阴谋信念与基本需求的挫败感有关，并且似乎在引起压力的重大世界事件中增加。因此，我们假设它们可能是对适应不良的应对策略的心理反应。这一假设在英国参与者中进行了测试，并在三项研究中进行了概念复制。横断面，我们检查了应对策略（即自给自足、社会支持、回避和宗教）和对特定阴谋论的信仰（研究 1，n  = 199）和对阴谋的一般概念的信仰（研究 2，n  = 411)。在研究 3 ( n = 398），我们通过助记记忆程序实验性地启动了不同的应对方式，并测量了对阴谋概念的信念。回避应对（被认为是适应不良并导致至少暂时脱离和放弃与目标相关的行为）积极预测了对阴谋论的信念（研究 1 和 2）。在研究 3 中，启动回避应对（相对于自给自足的应对或无应对策略）显着增加了对阴谋论的信念。这些发现表明，使用适应不良的应对策略（无论是性格还是情境诱导）可能会助长阴谋信念。