Negative information leads to a decline of trust in science: the connection between traditional and social media uses and vaccination conspiracy beliefs

Abstract

Although vaccine hesitancy is not a new phenomenon, the emergence of social media has led to growing concerns about the media's role in its perpetuation. In this study, hypotheses about the direct and indirect connections between media use and the endorsement of vaccination conspiracy beliefs were tested. The data were collected on an online quota sample of the general population of the Republic of Croatia (N = 1,500) and analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results showed that the total amount of television use, and television as a source of vaccination information were associated with lower vaccination conspiracy beliefs. The connection of social media and vaccination conspiracy beliefs was the opposite, that is, the more frequent use of social media is connected with the increased vaccination conspiracy beliefs. Internet news channels as a source of vaccination information were also associated with a lower level of vaccination conspiracy beliefs. Almost all hypothesized mediation mechanisms were confirmed, given that the use of a certain type of media leads to more (less) positive information about vaccination, which increases (reduces) trust in science credibility, and ultimately reduces (increases) conspiratorial beliefs.