AUTHOR=Dagnall Neil , Denovan Andrew , Drinkwater Kenneth Graham 

TITLE=Variations in Well-Being as a Function of Paranormal Belief and Psychopathological Symptoms: A Latent Profile Analysis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.886369

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2022.886369

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=This study examined variations in well-being as a function of paranormal belief and psychopathology-related constructs. A UK-based general population sample of 4402 respondents completed self-report measures assessing well-being (perceived stress, somatic complaints, and life satisfaction), paranormal belief, and psychopathology (schizotypy, depression, manic experience, and depressive experience). Analysis, using latent profile analysis, identified four distinct sub-groups: Profile 1, high Paranormal Belief and Psychopathology (n = 688); Profile 2, high Paranormal Belief and Unusual Experiences; moderate Psychopathology (n = 800); Profile 3, moderate Paranormal Belief and Psychopathology (n = 846); and Profile 4, low Paranormal Belief and Psychopathology (n = 2070). Multivariate analysis of variance indicated that sub-groups with higher psychopathology scores (Profiles 1 and 3) reported lower well-being. Higher Paranormal Belief, however, was not necessarily associated with lower psychological adjustment and reduced well-being (as with Profile 2). These outcomes indicate that further research is required to identify the conditions under which belief in the paranormal is non-adaptive.