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

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 t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of developmental psychology 2021-09, Vol.39 (3), p.499-520
Main Authors: Jolley, Daniel, Douglas, Karen M., Skipper, Yvonne, Thomas, Eleanor, Cookson, Darel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adolescence
Adolescents
Confirmatory factor analysis
Conspiracy
conspiracy beliefs
conspiracy theories
Convergent validity
Discriminant validity
Exploratory factor analysis
Extraversion
Paranoia
Questionnaires
Reliability
sale construction
Teachers
validation
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0261-510X
2044-835X
DOI:10.1111/bjdp.12368