(OPINION) Belief in supernatural forces may adversely impact mental health, according to a recent study.

This research indicates that individuals who subscribe to traditional supernatural beliefs, such as those pertaining to the devil and witchcraft, tend to experience increased stress and demonstrate diminished coping abilities in the face of life’s challenges.

Conversely, individuals with interests in crystals, psychic phenomena, or future prediction appear to exhibit no significant alteration in stress levels.

Published in PLOS ONE, the study highlights a correlation between traditional supernatural beliefs and a perception of lacking control over one’s own life.

It was observed that individuals who adhere to beliefs related to concepts such as hell, witchcraft, and demonic influences often perceive the world as governed by powers that lie beyond their control.

The researchers categorized paranormal beliefs into two distinct types.

Traditional Paranormal Beliefs (TPB) encompass notions such as the devil, hell, and witchcraft, which are perceived as social-level supernatural forces.

In contrast, New Age Philosophy (NAP) includes beliefs in personal paranormal abilities, such as telepathy, spirit communication, and precognition—concepts that imply supernatural powers operating at the individual level.

This distinction between belief in external supernatural entities, such as ghosts or witches, and belief in one’s own psychic abilities is significant.

The former group perceives supernatural forces as exerting influence upon them, whereas the latter perceives such forces as potentially operating through them. The findings of this study suggest that this difference has substantial implications for mental health outcomes.

The research involved a survey of over 3,000 participants, with an approximately equal distribution of men and women, and an average age of around 50 years.

Participants completed questionnaires addressing their paranormal beliefs and levels of perceived stress, including perceptions of life’s unpredictability and feelings of being overwhelmed or out of control.

Statistical analysis revealed that belief in traditional paranormal concepts is significantly associated with heightened distress and impaired coping mechanisms. In contrast, belief in New Age concepts did not have a notable impact on stress levels.