Paranormal belief, conspiracy endorsement, and positive wellbeing: a network analysis
📄 Original study ↗Plain English Summary
Believing in ghosts and believing in conspiracy theories might seem like two sides of the same coin, but this study of over 1,600 UK adults says not so fast. Using network analysis (a method that maps how psychological traits connect), researchers found these beliefs relate to wellbeing quite differently. Paranormal believers tended to feel their lives had meaning, while conspiracy endorsers reported lower life satisfaction without that benefit. The standout finding? Self-esteem was a crucial bridge connecting healthy coping, purpose, and satisfaction. This challenges the old assumption that paranormal belief signals faulty thinking. When paired with solid self-esteem, it may actually serve a genuinely adaptive, meaning-making role.
Actual Paper Abstract
Using network analysis (NA), this study examined interrelationships between advocacy of scientifically unsubstantiated beliefs (i.e., Paranormal and Conspiracy Endorsement) and positive wellbeing outcomes (i.e., Coping, Meaning in Life, Self-Esteem, and Satisfaction with Life). A total of 1,667 participants completed study measures. Analysis revealed that Paranormal Belief (PB) and Self-Esteem were central variables. Although not directly connected, common relationships existed with Search for Meaning in Life and Avoidant Coping. PB was most strongly linked (positively) with Conspiracy Endorsement, the Cognitive-Perceptual dimension of schizotypy, Search, and Avoidant Coping. Connections indicated that PB potentially mediated relationships between Schizotypy, Search, and Avoidant Coping. Self-Esteem was most strongly linked positively with the Presence of Meaning in Life, Active Coping, and Satisfaction with Life, and negatively with Avoidant Coping and Search. Network examination also revealed that Self-Esteem bridged relationships between Coping (Active and Avoidant), Meaning in Life (Search and Presence), and Satisfaction with Life. While the correlation between PB and Self-Esteem was small, the significance of these nodes suggested that their indirect interaction (through Search and Avoidant Coping) influenced factors related to positive wellbeing. This implied that the connection between PB and enhanced Self-Esteem positively impacted wellbeing. Conversely, PB associated with low Self-Esteem reflected poorer psychological health. Therefore, subsequent research should test this notion using specific belief facets.
Research Notes
Challenges the common practice of grouping paranormal belief with conspiracy thinking by demonstrating they have distinct wellbeing profiles. Key library contribution: supports an adaptive-function view of paranormal belief when paired with healthy self-esteem, contrasting the deficit model. Funded by the BIAL Foundation.
Using network analysis (EBICglasso) on a cross-sectional survey of 1,667 UK adults, interrelationships between paranormal belief (PB), conspiracy theory endorsement (CT), schizotypy, and positive wellbeing factors were examined. PB and Self-Esteem emerged as the two most central nodes. PB linked most strongly with CT (r = 0.60), cognitive-perceptual schizotypy (r = 0.56), search for meaning (r = 0.42), and avoidant coping (r = 0.40). Though correlated, PB and CT related differently to wellbeing: PB correlated positively with presence of meaning while CT did not, and CT correlated negatively with life satisfaction while PB did not. PB appeared to mediate relationships between schizotypy, meaning-seeking, and avoidant coping, while self-esteem bridged coping, meaning in life, and life satisfaction.
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📋 Cite this paper
Dagnall, Neil, Drinkwater, Kenneth Graham, Denovan, Andrew, Escolá Gascón, Alex (2025). Paranormal belief, conspiracy endorsement, and positive wellbeing: a network analysis. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1448067
@article{dagnall_2025_paranormal_belief_conspiracy,
title = {Paranormal belief, conspiracy endorsement, and positive wellbeing: a network analysis},
author = {Dagnall, Neil and Drinkwater, Kenneth Graham and Denovan, Andrew and Escolá Gascón, Alex},
year = {2025},
journal = {Frontiers in Psychology},
doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1448067},
}