Post-COVID Denialism: A Cluster Analysis Based on Emotional Distress and Personality Traits

Denialism during the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on adherence to preventive measures and contributed to confusion surrounding health information. In the post-COVID-19 stage, this attitude toward the pandemic remains latent and could be reactivated as a defense mechanism in response to new public health emergencies. For this reason, it would be useful to study the psychological profile of individuals who show a greater tendency toward denialism. The present study aimed to identify differentiated psychological profiles based on denialist thinking, emotional distress (stress, anxiety, depression), and personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion). A hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted with a sample of Mexican university students, identifying three distinct profiles. The first profile, Denialist – Stable, showed significantly higher levels of denialism compared to the other two groups, with average levels of emotional distress and neuroticism. The second profile, Extraverted – Stable, exhibited lower levels of emotional distress and neuroticism, and higher levels of extraversion than the other profiles. Lastly, the third profile, Neurotic – Vulnerable, was characterized by the highest levels of emotional distress and neuroticism. The results highlight the importance of considering denialism as part of a psychological pattern linked to personality traits and affective tendencies, with implications in public health emergency contexts. Furthermore, the need to implement mental health prevention strategies tailored to specific profiles is emphasized, particularly in emotionally demanding social situations.