From belief to resilience: mapping the longitudinal path of Traditional Paranormal Belief through optimism and Mental Toughness

Dagnall, N, Denovan, A ORCID: 0000-0002-9082-7225, Dempsey, R, Drinkwater, KG, Escolà-Gascón, Á and Walsh, S (2026) From belief to resilience: mapping the longitudinal path of Traditional Paranormal Belief through optimism and Mental Toughness. Frontiers in Psychology, 17.

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Abstract

Introduction: Although researchers have traditionally focused on the irrational nature of paranormal belief (PB), contemporary perspectives suggest it can serve adaptive psychological functions, including meaning-making and perceived control. However, the mechanisms through which PB relates to positive psychological functioning remain unclear. Noting this, the present study examined whether Traditional Paranormal Belief (TPB) and New Age Philosophy (NAP) influenced stress and well-being indirectly via optimism and Mental Toughness.

Method: The study used a multiple time point design. 1,032 United Kingdom adults were assessed across three waves spaced four to 6 weeks apart. Participants completed measures of PB (TPB, NAP), optimism, Mental Toughness, perceived stress, and hedonic and Eudaimonic Well-Being. Using longitudinal path analysis with bootstrapped indirect effects, analysis tested two three-wave autoregressive mediation models.

Results: TPB (not NAP) predicted outcomes indirectly through a sequential pathway involving optimism and Mental Toughness. Specifically, TPB was associated with lower stress and higher hedonic well-being via these mediators. Direct effects of PB on outcomes were small and inconsistent. Across models, optimism positively predicted Mental Toughness, which predicted lower stress and higher levels of hedonic and Eudaimonic Well-Being.

Discussion: Findings indicate that PB operates as a distal cognitive framework that influences psychological functioning through indirect pathways. In particular, TPB appears to foster optimistic appraisals and strengthen Mental Toughness, which support resilience and well-being over time. These results demonstrate that the psychological value of PB lies in its role in mobilising psychological resources rather than exerting direct effects on outcomes.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	1701 Psychology; 1702 Cognitive Sciences; 32 Biomedical and clinical sciences; 52 Psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions:	Psychology (from Sep 2019)
Publisher:	Frontiers Media
Date of acceptance:	15 September 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access:	29 September 2026
Date Deposited:	29 Sep 2026 10:40
Last Modified:	29 Sep 2026 10:40
DOI or ID number:	10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1856551
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/29551

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