Childhood trauma and the origins of paranormal belief: a constructive replication.
Previous research suggests that, as a group, people who believe in the paranormal tend to have a history of traumatic events in childhood. This relationship has been incorporated into Irwin's 1993 model of the psychological origins and functions of paranormal belief. A constructive replication of the relationship and a test of Irwin's model was undertaken in relation to a specific context, namely, a childhood spent with an alcoholic parent. Compared to 89 control participants, a sample of 32 adults who were children of alcoholics had stronger beliefs in witchcraft, superstitions, and precognition. The results are discussed in relation to two components of Irwin's model.
Irwin
H J
HJ
Department of Psychology, University of New England, Armidale NSW, Australia.
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology*; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008273:Magic; D008297:Male; D010268:Parapsychology; D010553:Personality Development; D010555:Personality Inventory