Eleonora Dionisi

The aim of this study is to examine whether the relationship between populist orientation and attitudes towards the anti‐COVID vaccine and government measures is mediated by conspiracy beliefs and health risk perceptions, and whether these relationships are moderated by trust in institutions. Data were collected in Italy using a questionnaire ( N = 390). The results largely supported our hypotheses of moderated mediation. Basically, while previous studies suggest that populist attitudes are positively associated with conspiracy theories, vaccine hesitancy and limited compliance with government measures, this study shows that these relationships are stronger when people do not trust institutions.