Schizophrenia and the paranormal: More psi belief and superstition, and less déjà vu in medicated schizophrenic patients

Abstract Objective The present study examined the relation between déjà vu experiences and paranormal beliefs in schizophrenic patients. Methods A total of 522 participants (54.5% female; mean age = 33.3, SD = 16.02) were recruited, including 422 healthy adults (60.9% female; mean age = 29.48, SD =...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Comprehensive psychiatry 2014-04, Vol.55 (3), p.688-692
Main Authors: Shiah, Yung-Jong, Wu, Yi-Zhen, Chen, Yueh-Hua, Chiang, Shih-Kuang
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Antipsychotic Agents - therapeutic use
Biological and medical sciences
Culture
Deja Vu
Female
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Parapsychology
Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Psychoses
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia - drug therapy
Schizophrenic Psychology
Studies
Superstitions
Unexplained phenomena
Young Adult
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Summary:Abstract Objective The present study examined the relation between déjà vu experiences and paranormal beliefs in schizophrenic patients. Methods A total of 522 participants (54.5% female; mean age = 33.3, SD = 16.02) were recruited, including 422 healthy adults (60.9% female; mean age = 29.48, SD = 15.07) and 100 medicated adult schizophrenic patients (27.3% female; mean age = 48.98, SD = 8.57). The Chinese version of the Inventory of Déjà-vu Experiences Assessment was created via back translation. Chinese versions of the Revised Paranormal Belief Scale (CRPB), Beck Anxiety Inventory (CBAI), and Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS) were also used. Results and Conclusion After controlling for age, gender, education, and anxiety, the results supported the following three hypotheses. Schizophrenic persons have fewer déjà vu experiences than normal persons. These experiences are positively related to paranormal beliefs in healthy adults but not in schizophrenic patients. Schizophrenic patients have higher scores than healthy adults on the psi and superstitious subscales of the CRPB.
ISSN:0010-440X
1532-8384
DOI:10.1016/j.comppsych.2013.11.003