AI Insight
This study used network analysis to examine how paranormal belief relates to various aspects of psychological wellbeing in 1,430 UK adults. The research found that paranormal belief occupies a peripheral position in the wellbeing network, showing weak but positive connections to optimism and negative affect, while core wellbeing components like thriving, flourishing, and positive affect formed a tightly interconnected central cluster. The findings suggest paranormal belief functions as a non-pathological, peripheral interpretive framework that may contribute indirectly to wellbeing through its relationship with optimistic future expectations.
Why it matters
This challenges earlier views that paranormal beliefs are necessarily maladaptive or signs of psychological dysfunction. The findings support understanding belief systems as context-dependent meaning-making tools that can play legitimate, though modest, roles in psychological adaptation and coping.
IntroductionParanormal belief (PB) remains prevalent within modern societies despite the dominance of scientific rationalism. While early research conceptualized PB as maladaptive, contemporary perspectives suggest it serves adaptive, meaning-making functions. However, the structural role of PB within broader systems of psychological wellbeing remains unclear. Addressing this gap, the present study employed network analysis to examine relationships between PB, affect (positive and negative), optimism, pessimism, and eudaimonic wellbeing (thriving and flourishing).MethodsA sample of 1,430 UK adults completed validated self-report measures. A Gaussian Graphical Model with EBICglasso regularization was estimated to identify conditional associations and centrality indices within the network. Centrality indices (strength, closeness, betweenness, and expected influence) determined the relative importance and bridging roles of nodes.ResultsThe network revealed a highly interconnected wellbeing structure centered on thriving, flourishing, and positive affect. Optimism emerged as a key bridge node linking positive and negative domains. PB occupied a peripheral position, demonstrating weak but positive associations with optimism, negative affect, and, to a lesser extent, thriving, while showing no direct connections with flourishing or positive affect.DiscussionFindings indicate that PB is not centrally embedded within the wellbeing system but operates as a peripheral interpretive framework indirectly linked to adaptive functioning. Specifically, PB contributes to psychological wellbeing through its association with optimism and future-oriented expectations. Overall, the results support contemporary models that position PB as a non-pathological, context-dependent cognitive framework. Implications for understanding the role of belief systems in meaning-making and psychological adaptation are discussed.
Source: The network structure of psychological wellbeing: paranormal belief is peripheral but meaningful