The associations between paranormal beliefs and sleep variables.
Betul Rauf, Rotem Perach, Juan J Madrid-Valero, Dan Denis, Brian A Sharpless, Giulia Lara Poerio, Christopher C French, Alice M Gregory
Journal of sleep research August 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.13810 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPoor sleep quality significantly correlates with stronger beliefs in paranormal phenomena. In a survey of 8,853 participants, those experiencing insomnia, longer sleep latency, and shorter sleep duration were more likely to believe in concepts like ghosts (62%), the soul living on after death (58%), and alien encounters (45%). Additionally, episodes of exploding head syndrome and isolated sleep paralysis were linked to beliefs in aliens visiting Earth. These findings highlight the complex relationship between sleep disturbances and anomalistic experiences, suggesting avenues for enhanced psychoeducation on sleep health.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 8,853 |
| Population | Adults who completed a BBC Focus Magazine survey |
| Keywords | Anomalistic Anomalous experiences Exploding head syndrome Paranormal Parasomnia |
| Citations | 8 |
| Key finding | Poorer subjective sleep quality and specific sleep disturbances are associated with greater endorsement of various paranormal beliefs. |
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 BBC 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; (3) demons; (4) an ability for some people to communicate with the dead; (5) near-death experiences are evidence for life after death; and (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".