Conspiracy Theory Beliefs and Tendency for Interpersonal Victimhood: The Mediating Role of Cognitive Biases.

INTRODUCTION: this study investigates the relationship between conspiracy theory beliefs and tendency for interpersonal victimhood, and the mediating role of cognitive biases. METHOD: A sample of 245 Georgian nationals (67% female; M age = 28.38 years) completed validated measures of conspiracist ideation (GCB), dysfunctional cognitive biases (DACOBS), and tendency for interpersonal victimhood (TIV). RESULTS: Hierarchical regression and parallel mediation analyses (PROCESS Model 4) confirmed that conspiracy beliefs significantly predict TIV (β = .381), and that attention to threat and external attribution bias partially mediate this relationship. CONCLUSION: Endorsement of conspiracy theories may engender a chronic sense of interpersonal victimhood through specific cognitive pathways, with practical implications for psychoeducational and therapeutic intervention.