Mitigating and managing COVID-19 conspiratorial beliefs

Dow, Benjamin J; Wang, Cynthia S; Whitson, Jennifer A; Deng, Yingli

Abstract

Background/Aim: Belief in COVID-19 related conspiracy theories is a widespread and consequential problem that healthcare leaders need to confront. In this article, we draw on insights from social psychology and organisational behaviour to offer evidence-based advice that healthcare leaders can use to reduce the spread of conspiratorial beliefs and ameliorate their negative effects, both during the current pandemic and beyond. Conclusion: Leaders can effectively combat conspiratorial beliefs by intervening early and bolstering people’s sense of control. Leaders can also address some of the problematic behaviours that result from conspiratorial beliefs by introducing incentives and mandates (e.g., vaccine mandates). However, because of the limitations of incentives and mandates, we suggest that leaders complement these techniques with interventions that leverage the power of social norms and increase people’s connections to others.

Citation

Dow, B. J., Wang, C. S., Whitson, J. A., & Deng, Y. (2022). Mitigating and managing COVID-19 conspiratorial beliefs. BMJ Leader, 6(4), 259-262. https://doi.org/10.1136/leader-2022-000600

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 20, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Jul 1, 2022
• Publication Date: Dec 22, 2022
• Deposit Date: Sep 6, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 6, 2022
• Journal: BMJ Leader
• Electronic ISSN: 2398-631X
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 259-262
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/leader-2022-000600
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1192413