Religiosity and social desirability: A response to Eysenck (1999) |
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| Authors: | Stephen Joseph |
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| Affiliation: | 1. School of Public Health, Queensland University of Technology , Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, 4059, Australia r.aird@qut.edu.au;3. Child and Youth Mental Health Service , Royal Brisbane Children's Hospital , E-CYMHS &4. EVOLVE Therapeutic Services Brisbane North, 289 Wardell Street, Enoggera, Brisbane, 4051, Australia;5. Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland , St Lucia, Brisbane, 4072, Australia;6. School of Population Health, University of Queensland , Herston, Brisbane, 4006, Australia;7. School of Social Science, University of Queensland , St Lucia, Brisbane, 4072, Australia;8. School of Population Health, University of Queensland , Herston, Brisbane, 4006, Australia |
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| Abstract: | Recent studies have shown that delusion-like experiences (DLEs) are common among general populations. This study investigates whether the prevalence of these experiences are linked to the embracing of New Age thought. Logistic regression analyses were performed using data derived from a large community sample of young adults (N = 3777). Belief in a spiritual or higher power other than God was found to be significantly associated with endorsement of 16 of 19 items from Peters et al. (1999b Peters, ER, Joseph, SA and Garety, PA. 1999b. Measurement of delusional ideation in the normal population: Introducing the PDI (Peters et al. Delusions Inventory). Schizophrenia Bulletin, 25(3): 553–576. [Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) Delusional Inventory following adjustment for a range of potential confounders, while belief in God was associated with endorsement of four items. A New Age conception of the divine appears to be strongly associated with a wide range of DLEs. Further research is needed to determine a causal link between New Age philosophy and DLEs (e.g. thought disturbance, suspiciousness, and delusions of grandeur). |
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| Keywords: | New Age spiritual beliefs religious beliefs delusion-like experiences delusional ideation |
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