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Re-evaluation of the relationship between paranormal belief and perceived stress using statistical modelling
Kenneth G Drinkwater1, Andrew Denovan2, Neil Dagnall1
1Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Education, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Plos One
|November 13, 2024
Summary
Traditional paranormal belief, but not New Age Philosophy, is linked to increased stress and reduced coping. This suggests paranormal belief influences well-being through perceived external control.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Historically, paranormal belief has been linked to stress vulnerability, often measured by the Revised Paranormal Belief Scale (RPBS).
- Concerns exist regarding the psychometric integrity and item performance of the traditional RPBS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-examine the relationship between paranormal belief and stress using a Rasch-purified version of the RPBS.
- To investigate whether Traditional Paranormal Belief (TPB) and New Age Philosophy (NAP) differentially predict perceived stress.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Rasch-purified RPBS with two dimensions: TPB and NAP, operationalized by perceived control.
- Collected data from 3084 participants (Mage = 50.31) using the RPBS and the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10).
- Employed confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling to analyze the data.
Main Results:
- Traditional Paranormal Belief (TPB) was a significant predictor of higher distress and lower coping.
- New Age Philosophy (NAP) did not significantly predict distress or coping.
- Findings suggest TPB is associated with a sense of external control over existence.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights a differential impact of paranormal belief facets on well-being indicators.
- TPB, linked to external control, is associated with negative well-being outcomes (stress, coping).
- NAP, potentially linked to individual control, does not show the same association with stress.
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