Measuring adolescents’ beliefs in conspiracy theories: Development and validation of the Adolescent Conspiracy Beliefs Questionnaire (ACBQ)

Jolley, Daniel; Douglas, Karen M.; Skipper, Yvonne; Thomas, Eleanor; Cookson, Darel

Abstract

Four studies (total n=961) developed and validated the Adolescent Conspiracy Beliefs Questionnaire (ACBQ). Initial items were developed in collaboration with teachers. An exploratory factor analysis (Study 1, n=208, aged 11–14) and a student focus group (N=3, aged 11) enabled us to establish the factor structure of a 9-item scale. This was replicated via confirmatory factor analysis in Study 2 (N=178, aged 11–17), and the scale displayed good convergent (i.e., relationship with paranoia and mistrust) and discriminant validity (i.e., no relationship with extraversion). Study 3a (N=257) further tested convergent validity with a sample of 18-year-olds (i.e., relationship with adult-validated measures of conspiracy beliefs) and demonstrated strong test–retest reliability. Study 3b (N=318) replicated these findings with a mixed-age adult sample. The ACBQ will allow researchers to explore the psychological antecedents and consequences of conspiracy thinking in young populations.

Citation

Jolley, D., Douglas, K. M., Skipper, Y., Thomas, E., & Cookson, D. (2021). Measuring adolescents’ beliefs in conspiracy theories: Development and validation of the Adolescent Conspiracy Beliefs Questionnaire (ACBQ). British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 39(3), 499-520. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjdp.12368

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 14, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Feb 8, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Deposit Date: Mar 10, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 11, 2022
• Journal: British Journal of Developmental Psychology
• Print ISSN: 0261-510X
• Electronic ISSN: 2044-835X
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 39
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 499-520
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/bjdp.12368
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/7505294
• Publisher URL: https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bjdp.12368