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Caught in the Loop: Basic Psychological Need Frustration and Conspiracy Mentality in Adolescence
Anne-Sophie Denault1, Marie-Jeanne Léonard2, Nessa Ghassemi-Bakhtiari2
1Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
Journal of Adolescence
|March 13, 2026
Summary
Adolescent conspiracy mentality is linked to psychological needs. Frustration in relatedness predicts increased conspiracy beliefs, which in turn predict greater autonomy frustration, highlighting the need for supportive school environments.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Adolescent Development
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Conspiracy mentality is linked to negative societal outcomes.
- Previous research has primarily focused on adults.
- Self-Determination Theory provides a framework for understanding psychological needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the reciprocal associations between basic psychological need frustration and conspiracy mentality in adolescents.
- To investigate how need frustration influences conspiracy beliefs and vice versa.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study with 232 high school students in Quebec, Canada.
- Data collected at two time points over a 1-year interval (Spring 2023 and 2024).
- Surveys assessed basic psychological needs and conspiracy mentality.
Main Results:
- Frustration of the need for relatedness predicted increased conspiracy mentality.
- Conspiracy mentality predicted increased relatedness frustration (reciprocal relationship).
- Conspiracy mentality also predicted increased frustration of the need for autonomy.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent conspiracy beliefs have implications for psychological well-being.
- Schools should foster environments that support autonomy and relatedness.
- Interventions addressing conspiracy beliefs and need satisfaction are recommended.
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