The associations between paranormal beliefs and sleep variables

Rauf, B., Perach, R., Madrid-Valero, J.J., Denis, D., Sharpless, B., Poerio, G.L., French, C.C. and Gregory, A.M. 2023. The associations between paranormal beliefs and sleep variables . Journal of Sleep Research. 32 (4) e13810. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.13810

TitleThe associations between paranormal beliefs and sleep variables
TypeJournal article
AuthorsRauf, B., Perach, R., Madrid-Valero, J.J., Denis, D., Sharpless, B., Poerio, G.L., French, C.C. and Gregory, A.M.
Abstract

Previous studies have found significant associations between paranormal beliefs and sleep variables. However, these have been conducted on a small scale and are limited in the number of sleep variables investigated. This study aims to fill a gap in the literature by investigating paranormal beliefs in relation to a wide range of sleep variables in a large sample. Participants (N = 8853) completed a survey initiated by the British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) Science Focus Magazine. They reported on their demographics, sleep disturbances, and paranormal beliefs. Poorer subjective sleep quality (lower sleep efficiency, longer sleep latency, shorter sleep duration, and increased insomnia symptoms) was associated with greater endorsement of belief in: (1) the soul living on after death, (2) the existence of ghosts and (3) demons, (4) an ability for some people to communicate with the dead, that (5) near-death experiences are evidence for life after death, and that (6) aliens have visited earth. In addition, episodes of exploding head syndrome and isolated sleep paralysis were associated with the belief that aliens have visited earth. Isolated sleep paralysis was also associated with the belief that near-death experiences are evidence for life after death. Findings obtained here indicate that there are associations between beliefs in the paranormal and various sleep variables. This information could potentially better equip us to support sleep via psychoeducation. Mechanisms underlying these associations are likely complex and need to be further explored to fully understand why people sometimes report ‘things that go bump in the night’.

Keywordsanomalistic
anomalous experiences
exploding head syndrome
paranormal
parasomnia
sleep paralysis
Article numbere13810
JournalJournal of Sleep Research
Journal citation32 (4)
ISSN0962-1105
1365-2869
Year2023
PublisherWiley
Publisher's version
License
CC BY 4.0
File Access Level
Open (open metadata and files)
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.13810
Publication dates
Published online11 Jan 2023
Published in printAug 2023

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