Fixating on the future: An overview of increased astrology use

Das, Abhilasha; Sharma, Manoj Kumar; Kashyap, Himani; Gupta, Srijita

doi:10.1177/00207640221094155

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Nevertheless, some evidence supports this potential link. Firstly, data showed that adolescents sought support from some personality assessments when encountering psychological problems ( Archer et al, 1991 ; Rickwood et al, 2007 ; Das et al, 2022 ). This indicates positive implications of personality assessments.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When encountering psychological problems, adolescents prefer seeking self-help information support ( Rickwood et al, 2007 ). Among them, personality assessments are favored, including some low-scientific ones ( Archer et al, 1991 ; Das et al, 2022 ). However, whether and how personality assessments affect adolescent mental health remains unknown.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Personality assessment usage and mental health among Chinese adolescents: A sequential mediation model of the Barnum effect and ego identity

Hua

Zhou

2023

Front. Psychol.

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IntroductionAdolescence is a crucial period for establishing ego identity and becoming a social individual. However, numerous adolescents suffer from mental health problems, especially after the conditions surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak. Personality assessments are often used when adolescents look for psychological self-help services. However, the meaning and mechanism of these personality assessments remain unknown. Taking the increasingly popular MBTI personality assessment as an entry point, the current study examined the potential sequential mediation relationship of Barnum effect – ego identity on the link between personality assessment usage and mental health.MethodsThe current study surveyed 308 Chinese high school students, including 109 males and 199 females. MBTI use, Barnum effect, ego-identity, and mental health (subjective well-being, depression, and anxiety) were measured by seven questionnaires, respectively. Sequential mediation models were constructed to analyze the relationship.ResultsThe results indicate that the Barnum effect and ego identity together function as a sequential mediation path between personality assessment use and teenagers’ mental health, including subjective well-being, depression, and anxiety. Specifically, a higher level of MBTI use triggers a stronger Barnum effect. The Barnum effect then promotes adolescents’ ego identity, ultimately increasing subjective well-being levels and reducing anxiety and depression.DiscussionOur findings suggest that by properly using personality assessment and stimulating the Barnum effect, we can enhance adolescents’ mental health. The theoretical and practical implications of our findings are discussed.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Personality assessment usage and mental health among Chinese adolescents: A sequential mediation model of the Barnum effect and ego identity

Hua

Zhou

2023

Front. Psychol.

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“…Ancient Greek cultures, fortune tellers, and magazines in horoscope readings proposed that constellations and planetary alignments have predictive properties specified toward zodiac signs. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an upsurge in the utilization of the Chinese and Western Zodiac, likely related to the uncertain conditions worldwide [9]. In a recent evaluation of vaccination rates, the Salt Lake City Health Department identified different vaccination rates based on Zodiac signs [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Western or Chinese Zodiac Sign Predict COVID Infections and Death?

Frugoli,

Parekh,

Diaz

2024

Cureus

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Introduction: Humans have been fascinated by and studying the sky since the beginning of time. Beliefs in Chinese and Western astrology persist in modern society and have gained increasing interest in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Zodiac signs are typified by certain qualities, for example, obsessive-compulsive traits in Libras and Virgos or the highly social traits in Leos and Geminis. We investigate whether the various characteristics or personalities purported of assigned birth signs may alter the predisposition to COVID-19 infections or mortality.Methods: This is a retrospective, single-center cohort study of 2545 adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection presenting to the emergency room over a 14-month period (September 2020 to November 2021). COVID-19 infectivity was determined based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. Western and Chinese Zodiac signs were designated using date of birth. Both Zodiac signs were evaluated for risk of infection and death.Results: Mortality rates across the zodiac and astrology signs showed no statistical difference using the 12sample test for equality of proportions. Coincidentally, the mean age for the deceased was 74.5 years, and it was 53.9 years for those alive, resulting in a difference of 20.6 years. A two-sample t-test confirms that the observed difference of 20.6 years of age between the two groups is statistically significant with a p-value <0.05. The coefficient of the predictor age is statistically significant. The odds ratio estimate of age is 1.06, with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) being (1.048, 1.073). This means that the odds of dying increase by 6% for every additional year. Discussion: Astrology once held a significant impact on beliefs in medicine and continues in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Our study utilized local data to determine if COVID-19 infection rates and mortality might have a relationship to astrological designations of Chinese and Western zodiac signs. Data analysis demonstrated that there was no statistical significance found between Western and Chinese Zodiac signs and mortality or infections. Similar to many previous studies, age can be a risk factor for mortality.

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“…Эзотерические и паранормальные практики представляют сегодня значительный сектор услуг, на который есть спрос в России [4] и мире [15]. При этом предикторы обращения к ним до сих пор слабо изучены [1].…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

The Role of Ideological Beliefs and Tolerance for Uncertainty in Seeking Esoteric Services

Antonova,

Eritsyan,

Usacheva

2023

Social Psychology and Society

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Objective. Assessing the relationship between the use of esoteric services, tolerance for uncertainty and beliefs unpredictability and determinism. Background. Esoteric practices today represent a significant market sector worldwide and in Russia. At the same time, predictors of use of such services are still poorly studied. Most psychological research has focused on beliefs in the paranormal or supernatural, while much less attention has been paid to associated behavioral practices. Study design. Cross-sectional survey study. Participants. Adult population of Russia (N = 1498, 47% males). A quota sample of an online panel was used to represent the adult population of Russia in terms of gender and age composition and representation of the urban and rural population. Mean age 41,6 years old (SD = 12,72). Measurements. Russian-language versions of tolerance to uncertainty (MSTAT-I) and belief in freedom/determinism (FAD-Plus) scales, assessment of socio-demographic and behavioral parameters using survey methods. Results. Seeking esoteric services is associated with a range of beliefs about determinism and unpredictability and is more common among women and people with high religiosity. Contrary to the hypothesis put forward, no relationship was found between seeking esoteric services and tolerance of uncertainty. Conclusions. Seeking esoteric services is closely related to beliefs about the world: belief in determinism (both fatalistic and scientific) may be a facilitator of the use of such services, while beliefs in unpredictability and freedom are negatively associated with the use of such services.

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Fixating on the future: An overview of increased astrology use

Cited by 4 publications

References 28 publications

Personality assessment usage and mental health among Chinese adolescents: A sequential mediation model of the Barnum effect and ego identity

Personality assessment usage and mental health among Chinese adolescents: A sequential mediation model of the Barnum effect and ego identity

Does Western or Chinese Zodiac Sign Predict COVID Infections and Death?

The Role of Ideological Beliefs and Tolerance for Uncertainty in Seeking Esoteric Services

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