Cognitive and psychological mediators of anxiety: Evidence from a study of paranormal belief and perceived childhood control

One hundred and twenty seven adult volunteer participants completed questionnaire measures of paranormal belief and perceived childhood control. As predicted, paranormal belief correlated negatively with perceived childhood control, consistent with the theory that, for some, paranormal belief may arise as a psychological coping mechanism following early experiences of diminished control. These findings are discussed with reference to the broader literature on the cognitive and psychological factors that link childhood experience of diminished control and the development of adulthood anxiety and negative emotions.