Trust in scientists and conspiracy beliefs predict online misinformation susceptibility and fake news detection: a cross-sectional study in Greece

BackgroundOnline misinformation has grown significantly with the widespread use of the internet and the ease of sharing content through social media, often without rigorous fact-checking or scientific validation. In this context, trust in scientists and conspiracy beliefs may affect online misinformation susceptibility and fake news detection. ObjectiveTo examine the effect of trust in scientists and conspiracy beliefs on online misinformation susceptibility and fake news detection. Additionally, we investigated the association between demographic variables and online misinformation susceptibility and fake news detection. MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out in Greece, with data collected through an online survey in August 2025. Trust in scientists was assessed using the Trust in Scientists Scale. Conspiracy beliefs were measured using the Conspiracy Mentality Questionnaire. Participants susceptibility to online misinformation was evaluated using the Online Misinformation Susceptibility Scale. Their ability to detect online fake news was assessed through the fake news detection scale. ResultsOur multivariable analysis identified that lower trust in scientists is associated with higher online misinformation susceptibility. Participants who believed in conspiracy behaviors showed also higher levels of misinformation susceptibility. Moreover, lower financial status and lower interest in politics were associated with misinformation susceptibility. We found a positive association between trust in websites and misinformation susceptibility. Also, we found a negative association between age and misinformation susceptibility. Our multivariable linear regression model showed that participants who believe in conspiracy beliefs had a lower ability to detect fake news. Moreover, we found a positive association between trust in sciences and fake news detection. Finally, we found a negative association between interest in politics and fake news detection. ConclusionOur findings showed associations between trust in scientists, conspiracy beliefs, online misinformation susceptibility and fake news detection. Moreover, several demographic variables were associated with misinformation susceptibility and fake news detection. Identification of predictors of misinformation susceptibility and fake news detection is crucial to define high-risk groups and develop appropriate interventions to confront these issues.