Carlos Solis
Seventeen current and former partners described how a loved one’s descent into QAnon, the far-right conspiracy theory that claims a “deep state” worships Satan and participates in sexual abuse of children, upended family life. The interviews focused on how those changing beliefs affected the people closest to the believers.
How People Change
Several participants said their partner came to seem like a different person. Steady, everyday conversations gave way to nonstop discussion of the theory, constant sharing of supposed “evidence” online, and near-total devotion to the invented narrative. That transformation often coincided with sharp shifts in mood and behavior.
- Partners became irritable, aggressive, cynical, or hostile.
- Some respondents described a shift to open insults and humiliation, for example calling their partners “brainwashed,” “sheep,” or “the enemy.”
- In some cases behavior grew dangerous. One participant said his partner assaulted him after learning he had received a COVID-19 vaccine.
Emotional and Social Toll on Partners
Respondents reported a heavy emotional toll. Many experienced anxiety, lost sleep, increased alcohol use, and a feeling that they were losing their grip on reality.
Others described gaslighting: when they pointed out clear logical errors in their partner’s claims, they began to doubt their own judgment. The social price was high as well: the deeper a partner sank into conspiracy beliefs, the more the family faced stigma and lost friends and relatives.
Families with children faced particular challenges. People who believed in conspiracies often tried to persuade the children, took them to rallies, or introduced them to conspiracy influencers. Some parents refused vaccinations or delayed medical care for their kids.
Other studies show that people who believe conspiracy theories are more likely to justify political or interpersonal violence. For example, people who thought 5G infrastructure spread COVID-19 were more likely to see force against those installing towers as acceptable.
After repeated attempts to understand their partner’s behavior, therapy sessions, and failed efforts to counter beliefs with facts, many respondents chose to end the relationship. That decision is especially difficult when children or shared property are involved. People who managed to leave toxic relationships often reported feeling relieved.
Why People Believe Conspiracy Theories
The authors identify several motivational factors that push people toward those beliefs. They highlight three core needs:
- the need to understand and explain frightening events;
- a desire for control and security, which conspiracy narratives can appear to provide;
- a need to protect a positive self-image, especially if a person feels socially marginalized.
The study makes clear that belief in alternative narratives has more than a political or intellectual dimension. These beliefs can reshape daily life, damage relationships, and put loved ones at risk. People close to someone who has radically changed under the influence of conspiracy theories may need support, counseling, or, in extreme cases, to put distance between themselves and the believer to protect their mental health and their children.
Based on reporting from Daily Mail
