The idea that belief in the paranormal is associated with maladaptive psychological processes has been widely challenged by recent studies. These studies suggest that, in the absence of specific predispositions, such as high levels of transliminality (an increased sensitivity to internal and external stimuli) and traits associated with psychopathology (such as schizotypy and manic-depressive tendencies), the belief in the paranormal does not compromise psychological adjustment or well-being. However, it remains an open question whether different types of paranormal belief, namely Traditional Paranormal Belief (TPB, linked to cultural and social notions of control by supernatural forces) and New Age Philosophy (NAP, associated with more individual and spiritual concerns), can lead to variations in the way they influence the perception of well-being and psychological adjustment. In the scope of project 123/20 - A latent profile analysis and structural equation modelling of paranormal belief, psychopathological symptoms, and well-being, supported by the BIAL Foundation and led by Neil Dagnall, the research team conducted a study exploring whether TPB and NAP are differentially associated with perceived stress (a variable often used in studies in the field as an indicator of well-being). The results indicated that TPB was significantly associated with higher levels of distress and a reduced capacity for coping. In contrast, NAP showed no predictive association. These findings suggest that TPB may reflect a reduced perception of control over external factors, increasing susceptibility to stress, whereas NAP, due to its focus on more individual concerns, does not appear to contribute to these dynamics. Thus, understanding the functional differences between these beliefs is essential to addressing the psychological impact of belief in the paranormal. This study was published in the journal PLOS ONE, in the article Re-evaluation of the relationship between paranormal belief and perceived stress using statistical modelling.
ABSTRACT
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. These typically derive from the Revised Paranormal Belief Scale (RPBS), which has questionable psychometric integrity. The main issue being that several RPBS items perform poorly. Noting this, the present paper re-examined the relationship between paranormal belief and stress using the Rasch purified version of the RPBS. This comprises two dimensions, called Traditional Paranormal Belief (TPB) and New Age Philosophy (NAP). These are operationalised in terms of function. Specifically, whether belief provides a sense of control at the social (TPB) or individual level (NAP). Accordingly, this study examined whether TPB and NAP were differentially predictive of levels of perceived stress. 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 modelling revealed that TPB was significantly predictive of higher Distress, and lower Coping. NAP was neither predictive of Distress nor Coping. These findings support the notion that TPB is attendant with external control, particularly the notion that unknown supernatural forces/powers influence existence.
