In a recent study, partners reported that their conspiracy-believing loved one became like a different person.

Partners of conspiracy believers often suffer anxiety, stress, insomnia, and social isolation.

Debate and facts rarely shift conspiracy theorists, leading to escalating conflict and disconnection.

What is it like for non-believers to be in a relationship with a conspiracy theorist? This was the central question of a study conducted by forensic psychologist Lea Kamitz of Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom.

Conspiracy theorists believe that certain events are secret plots that have been carried out for malevolent purposes. Examples include claims that COVID-19 was a government hoax, elections were stolen, or vaccine initiatives were part of a hidden agenda. Conspiracy beliefs have had demonstrable societal impacts, such as rising political violence. They have also led to estrangements from friends and family. The effects on romantic relationships, however, have been less clear.

In order to better understand the lived experiences of people in a relationship with a conspiracy theorist, Kamitz and her collaborators began by recruiting participants through the Reddit forum r/QAnonCasualties, which also included discussions about "Q-adjacent" individuals in users' social circles.

In the final tally, there were 17 current or former partners of conspiracy believers (10 women and 7 men), between the ages of 28 and 66. Kamitz conducted open-ended interviews, probing into participants’ experiences in their relationships, most of which had ended by then. These interviews covered the beginning, middle, and end (if relevant) of their relationship with the conspiracy believer. After Kamitz completed........

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