2026-10-14T18:51:16Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/33937309 2026-09-18T17:23:29Z category_7 category_14 category_45 category_61 category_106 portal_5 item_type_3 month_year_09_2026

<p>Between-level (regional) mediation.</p> Ahmet Süerdem (25073083) Svetlomir Zdravkov (25073086) Martin J. Ivanov (25073089) Medicine Molecular Biology Sociology Developmental Biology Science Policy xlink "> debates national survey data examine conspiratorial reasoning conspiracy &# 8211 conditional epistemic resource analysis also considers alternative epistemic orientations knowledge &# 8211 regional value climates scientific knowledge serves link scientific knowledge science </ p scientific knowledge regional levels using cross study applies results suggest public understanding public trust multiple epistemologies multidimensional framework level political key mechanism ideological traits findings reveal economic factors constructivist perspectives consistent buffer beyond deficit based models approaches tend 19 pandemic <div><p>Debates about public trust in science often contrast deficit-based models, which emphasize the role of scientific knowledge, with constructivist perspectives that highlight the coexistence of multiple epistemologies. However, both approaches tend to overlook the mechanisms that link scientific knowledge, alternative epistemic orientations, and mistrust in science. To address this gap, the study applies a multilevel structural equation model within a multidimensional framework to examine conspiratorial reasoning as a key mechanism through which scientific knowledge influences science mistrust. Using cross-national survey data from Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic, the analysis also considers how this pathway is moderated by individual cognitive, motivational, and ideological traits, as well as macro-level political, cultural and economic factors. The findings reveal that conspiratorial reasoning significantly mediates the relationship between scientific knowledge and mistrust at both individual and regional levels. Moreover, the strength of these associations is conditioned by factors like informational engagement, regional value climates, and religiosity. Overall, the results suggest that scientific knowledge serves as a conditional epistemic resource, rather than a consistent buffer against mistrust in science.</p></div> 2026-09-18T17:23:21Z Dataset Dataset 10.1371/journal.pone.0341946.t005 https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/_p_Between-level_regional_mediation_p_/33937309 CC BY 4.0