# Stability of Network Models Linking Personality to Conspiracy Mentality Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

## TL;DR

This study uses network models to explore how personality traits relate to conspiracy beliefs before and during the pandemic, revealing stable and changing patterns.

## Contribution

The study introduces a multivariate network approach to analyze conspiracy mentality and personality traits, revealing nuanced and stable relationships.

## Key findings

- The relationships between political cynicism and conspiracy mentality were consistently positive across analyses.
- Network relationships and centrality indices were mostly stable before and during the pandemic, with some exceptions.
- Key network elements like politicians' transparency were identified as potential intervention targets.

## Abstract

Discussions about potential intervention targets, antecedents, and consequences of conspiracy beliefs often rely on comparing bivariate correlations, which can mask intricate patterns. Therefore, the present study adopts a multivariate network approach to gain nuanced insights into the relationships between personality variables and conspiracy mentality. Established and less-studied correlates of conspiracy mentality (i.e., bedtime procrastination, life satisfaction, locus of control, neuroticism, political cynicism, self-efficacy, and self-esteem) were examined together in network models at the aggregate score level and item level. Notably, network stability was examined across different samples before (N = 403) and during (N = 193) the COVID-19 pandemic. The main findings are: (a) the strength and sign of the relationships were often stable across bivariate and network analyses (e.g., positive relationships between political cynicism and conspiracy mentality), however, there were exceptions, such as an inconsistent link between life satisfaction and conspiracy mentality; (b) while many network relationships and centrality indices were similar before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, some noteworthy exceptions indicate that interventions targeting implausible conspiracy beliefs may benefit from tailoring to external circumstances; (c) certain influential network elements were identified that could inform future interventions (e.g., increasing politicians' transparency and accountability).