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

• 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
• ISSN: 0261-510X; 2044-835X
• DOI: 10.1111/bjdp.12368

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.