Summary: Traditional supernatural beliefs, such as sorcery and spiritual religion, are linked to higher pressure and reduced coping capability, while fresh age beliefs, like mysticism and prescience, show no such link. Over 3, 000 responses to an improved size were analyzed by researchers, revealing that conventional beliefs may indicate worries about external control.
Although the results emphasize the psychological differences between different belief types, cause-and-effect relationships may be confirmed by the findings. Future studies might look at how beliefs about the supernatural influence behaviors like those about conspiracy theories and alternative medicine.
Important Facts:
- Traditional ghostly ideas were linked to increased stress and decreased coping capacity.
- Stress and coping mechanisms were not related to new age ideas.
- The study examines how classic values are affected by external control views.
Origin: PLOS
Traditional ghostly beliefs were linked to stress and decreased ability to deal with anxiety, but new research found no connection to new age philosophy or new theories of psychology. Kenneth Drinkwater , Ph. D. of Manchester Metropolitan University, U. K., and associates present these results in the open-access journal , PLOS ONE , on November 13, 2024.
Earlier research has suggested that paranormal conviction, in common, is not linked to poorer mental welfare, but that sure facets of supernatural perception, such as religion, may be linked with tension vulnerability.
The Revised Paranormal Belief Scale, a survey with analytical problems that limits its relevance, is used for a large portion of this study, though.
The Rasch purified Revised Paranormal Belief Scale, a distinct type, aims to advance on the previous level. Drinkwater and acquaintances used a questionnaire to evaluate various facets of perceived pressure to help researchers understand the possible connections between paranormal beliefs and stress.
A key element of the Rasch purified Revised Paranormal Belief Scale is that it differentiates between two dimensions of idea: first, traditional ghostly perception, which deals with cultural concepts of traditional religious belief and sorcery, and minute, new age philosophy, dealing with personal paranormal abilities known as psi, spiritualism, and precognition.
People who received higher scores for traditional paranormal beliefs were more likely to experience higher levels of stress and lessen their ability to deal with stress, according to analysis of the study participants ‘ responses.
However, it was not statistically associated with any distress or coping behaviors.
These findings go against the notion that traditional paranormal belief is based on concern for the existence of others as a result of a lack of control over internal forces. However, the authors note that this study was exploratory and does not support any cause-effect relationship.
The connection between stress and paranormal belief will need to be further investigated. The authors suggest that such research is important because paranormal belief can influence people’s everyday behavior and attitudes, such as those regarding alternative medicine, antivaccination, and conspiracies.
Findings support the idea that conventional paranormal belief is related to external control, particularly the idea that unknowable supernatural forces or powers have an impact on existence.
” These fascinating relationships in relation to perceived stress, wellbeing, and coping styles still require additional research,” he continued.
About this news about stress and neurotheology
Author: Hanna Abdallah
Source: PLOS
Contact: Hanna Abdallah – PLOS
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
Kenneth Drinkwater and colleagues ‘ use of statistical modeling to re-evaluate the relationship between paranormal beliefs and perceived stress PLOS ONE
Abstract
Using statistical modeling, a re-evaluation of the connection between paranormal beliefs and perceived stress
Recent research indicates that paranormal belief, in the absence of allied cognitive-perceptual and psychopathology-related factors, is not associated with negative wellbeing outcomes. However, investigators have historically reported relationships between specific facets of belief ( e. g., superstition ) and stress vulnerability.
The Revised Paranormal Belief Scale ( RPBS ), which has questionedable psychometric integrity, is typically the source of these. The main issue is that a number of RPBS products perform poorly.
The present paper used the Rasch purified version of the RPBS to re-examine the connection between paranormal belief and stress in light of this. This comprises two dimensions, called Traditional Paranormal Belief ( TPB) and New Age Philosophy ( NAP ). These have a functional operationalized basis. Specifically, whether belief provides a sense of control at the social ( TPB) or individual level ( NAP ).
In response, this study looked at whether TPB and NAP had a different effect on perceived stress levels. In this context, stress served as an indicator of well-being. A sample of 3084 participants ( Mage = 50.31,  , SD , = 15.20, range 18–91 ) completed the RPBS alongside the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale ( PSS-10 ).
Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling demonstrated that TPB was inversely related to higher stress and lower co-operation. NAP did not predict Coping or Distress.
These findings support the idea that TPB is a result of external control, particularly the idea that unknowable supernatural forces or powers have an impact on existence.
