Ostracism and Conspiracy Beliefs About COVID-19: Personality and Existential Underlying Mechanisms in a Quote Sampling Study During the First Wave of the Pandemic

Aims: This paper examines the association between ostracism and endorsement of COVID-19 conspiracy theories, the mediating role of sense of vulnerability, self-uncertainty and individual/collective narcissism and the moderating role of conspiracy mentality. Methods: Participants were recruited in the United Kingdom via quote sampling (N=895). Power analysis and sample size checks were conducted beforehand. A cross-sectional design was deployed and in subsequent analyses we controlled for demographic variables. Results: Ostracism positively predicted endorsement of COVID-19 conspiracy theories and this association was mediated by sense of vulnerability, self-uncertainty, meaning seek, individual and collective narcissism. Furthermore, conspiracy mentality moderated the relationship between ostracism and COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs. Conclusion: Our study expands on the still very few and scarce research on ostracism and conspiracy theories and building on existing findings, it explores further underlying personality and existential variables that explain this relationship. Theoretical and societal implications are discussed.