Illusory beliefs about health and well-being, what relationship?

Abstract

Paranormal beliefs are convictions relative to any phenomenon that in one or more ways exceeds the limits of what is deemed to be physically possible according to prevailing scientific assumptions. Although several studies have been conducted on this topic, a few reports addressed the role of illusory beliefs related to health and with controversial results. The aim of this work was to analyze the role of illusory beliefs related to health as antecedents of well-being, as well as the relationship of those beliefs and external locus of control, optimism and coping . They were involved 451 adults (75.7% females) with average age of 24.7 years (SD = 11.4). A self-report questionnaire was administered. Descriptive and correlational analyzes were performed. The illusory beliefs related to health were associated with all the considered variables. Superstitious beliefs are positively associated with the external locus of control and transcendental coping; and negatively associated with dispositional optimism and emotional and psychological well-being. We will discuss the results in light of the literature to arrive at implications for health promotion and people well-being.