Belief, Space, and Productivity: The Cultural Economy of Mystical Illnessin Denpasar, Bali
Space and Culture India June 20, 2026 P Kadek Wulandari Laksmi, P Komang Widhya Sedana Putra, Ign Oka Ariwangsa
Belief in mystical illness, including witchcraft and spirit possession, is positively associated with both work productivity and economic life among economically active individuals in Denpasar, Bali. Work productivity partially mediates this relationship, and religious education moderates the link between belief and economic outcomes, though the moderating effect is modest yet statistically significant. These beliefs do not solely constrain economic performance but form part of a cultural system that can coexist with productive economic activity. The study used data from 200 individuals and PLS-SEM analysis, highlighting the need to incorporate cultural and spiritual dimensions into economic behavior analyses.