Researchers recently investigated whether psychological traits, particularly depression, increase susceptibility to COVID-19 misinformation. Drawing on rigorous analysis from Harvard Medical School, this study sheds light on key patterns.
Since SARS-CoV-2 emerged, misinformation has proliferated on social media, especially about masks and vaccines. In France, the "documentary" Hold-Up exemplified this by alleging a global COVID-19 conspiracy. A study published January 21, 2021, in JAMA Network Open, led by Harvard Medical School, identified a significant association with depression.
The findings show that individuals with moderate or severe depressive symptoms are more prone to endorsing vaccine misinformation. Notably, no causal link was established; instead, the research highlights depression preceding such beliefs to better understand acceptance and spread of falsehoods.
“While we cannot conclude that depression caused this susceptibility, examination of a second wave of data at least told us that depression occurred before the misinformation. In other words, misinformation hasn't made people more depressed,” explained lead author Roy H. Perlis, MD, MPH.
This study surveyed 15,464 U.S. adults, many experiencing depression. Those agreeing with misinformation were less likely to get vaccinated, often due to pessimistic views underestimating vaccine benefits.
Depression levels were at least three times higher than pre-pandemic baselines, exacerbated by two years of anxiety, stress, and isolation. In France, a January 2022 INSERM and University of Bordeaux survey found 37% of students with depressive disorders, 27% with anxiety, and 13% reporting suicidal thoughts.
