A recent study has found that traditional paranormal beliefs are linked to higher levels of distress and a reduced ability to cope with stress, while new age philosophy is not. The study, led by Dr. Kenneth Drinkwater from Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK, was published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on November 13, 2024.
Previous research has suggested that paranormal beliefs, in general, do not directly correlate with poorer mental health. However, certain types of paranormal beliefs, like superstition, have been associated with higher stress vulnerability. Much of this research relied on the Revised Paranormal Belief Scale, which has limitations due to statistical issues. To address this, Drinkwater and his team used an improved version called the Rasch purified Revised Paranormal Belief Scale.
In their study, 3,084 participants completed both this scale and a questionnaire assessing perceived stress. The Rasch purified scale differentiates between two types of paranormal beliefs: traditional paranormal belief, which includes concepts like witchcraft and religious beliefs, and new age philosophy, which covers ideas like psychic abilities and precognition.
The analysis showed that individuals with higher scores in traditional paranormal belief experienced more distress and felt less capable of coping with stress. However, belief in new age philosophy did not show any significant link to stress levels or coping abilities. These results suggest that traditional paranormal beliefs may reflect anxiety about external forces that affect one’s life, but the study did not establish a cause-and-effect relationship.
The authors emphasize the need for further research to better understand how paranormal beliefs influence stress. They also point out that such beliefs can shape everyday behaviors and attitudes, including views on alternative medicine, vaccinations, and conspiracies.
In conclusion, the study supports the idea that traditional paranormal beliefs are linked to feelings of external control, such as belief in supernatural forces influencing one’s life. However, more research is needed to explore these relationships further and their impact on stress and mental well-being.
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