Childhood physical abuse and differential development of paranormal belief systems.

Full Abstract

This study compared paranormal belief systems in individuals with and without childhood physical abuse histories. The Revised Paranormal Belief Scale and the Assessing Environments III Questionnaire were completed by 107 University students. Psi, precognition, and spiritualism, which are thought to provide a sense of personal efficacy and control, were among the most strongly held beliefs in abused subjects, and were significantly higher in abused versus nonabused subjects. Superstition and extraordinary life forms, thought to have an inverse or no relation to felt control, were the least strongly held beliefs in abused subjects, and, along with religious beliefs, did not differ between the two abuse groups. Witchcraft was unexpectedly found to be the most strongly held belief among those with abuse histories. Results suggest that by providing a sense of control, certain paranormal beliefs may offer a powerful emotional refuge to individuals who endured the stress of physical abuse in childhood.

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Author information

Author/s: Perkins, Stefanie L (SL); Allen, Rhiannon (R);

Affiliation: New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons. New York, New York 10032, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article

Journal: The Journal of nervous and mental disease (J Nerv Ment Dis), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-May; vol 194 (issue 5) : pp 349-55

Dates: Created 2006/05/15; Completed 2006/06/05; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 16699384, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adaptation, Psychological
Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Child
Child Abuse - psychology; statistics & numerical data
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged

Models, Psychological
Parapsychology
Personal Autonomy
Psychometrics
Questionnaires
Religion and Psychology
Self Efficacy
Stress, Psychological - prevention & control; psychology
Superstitions - psychology
Witchcraft - psychology

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