1PhD Scholar, Department of Psychology, Chandigarh University, India
2Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Chandigarh University, India
Background: Paranormal beliefs persist across cultures, potentially linked to early adverse experiences like childhood trauma, yet empirical evidence remains mixed.
Objective: This study tested whether childhood trauma predicts paranormal beliefs in an Indian sample.
Method: Participants (N = 119) completed the Reverse Paranormal Belief Scale (range: 26-154) and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (range: 26-117). Analyses included descriptives, Pearson correlations, and simple linear regression.
Results: Paranormal belief scores showed substantial variability (M = 104.98, SD = 22.70), while trauma scores were more uniform (M = 62.65, SD = 10.78). Correlation analysis revealed a weak negative, non-significant relationship (r = -.115, p = .211). Regression confirmed trauma's minimal predictive power (R = .115, R² = .013, β = -.115, p = .211; B = -.243), explaining just 1.3% of variance.
Conclusion: Childhood trauma does not significantly influence paranormal beliefs in this sample, implying multifactorial etiology involving cognitive biases, personality (e.g., openness), or cultural factors. Cross-sectional limitations and self-report biases noted; longitudinal studies with mediators recommended.
Keywords: childhood trauma, paranormal beliefs, dissociation, meaning-making, emotional abuse, compensatory control.
How to cite this article: Shakthivel G, Luqman N. Childhood Trauma and the Development of Paranormal Beliefs: A Psychological Perspective. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(7s): 613-618; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.7s.65
Source of support: None
Conflict of interest: None