Psychopathy and Depression as Predictors of the Satanic Syndrome

Abstract

Abstract:The aims of this research were to determine: (1) the existence of an internally consistent and valid latent construct of the Satanic syndrome, and (2) if psychopathy and depression are significant predictors of the Satanic syndrome within different sex and ethnic subsamples. We conducted a survey in a community sample of adult Christians in the region of eastern Croatia where the Croats (most who are members of the Roman Catholic Church) live together with a Serbian ethnic minority (most who are members of the Serbian Orthodox Church). The equalized convenience sample (N=1100) was divided into two sex and ethnic homogenous subgroups. The Satanic syndrome proved to be characterized as a one-dimensional factorial construct indicating the importance of participating in Satanic rituals; psychic seances during which the dead are called to appear; persons becoming knowledgeable about black magic; being a member of an occult society; and reading books and magazines that deal with esoteric and occult issues. Multiple regression analysis showed that psychopathy and depression were significant predictors of the Satanic syndrome within both sex and ethnic different groups. Within male, female, Croatian and Serbian ethnic minority samples, the amount of variances explained by the predictor variables were 20, 18, 20, and 16 per cent, respectively. There is evidence that depressive psychopaths are attracted to the Satanic syndrome as a means of obtaining magical power and control over their destiny, regardless of sex and ethnic differences. The hypothesis confirmed that comorbidity of psychopathy and depression expresses the existence of a destructive sub-personality underlying the Satanic syndrome which indicates the existence of Satanic spirituality.

The Development of The Occult-Demonic Syndrome Scale (ODSS-1)

“…Although our common theoretical hypothesis that engaging in the occult has an impact on subjective feelings of demonic presence, influence, and control was confirmed, the alternative hypothesis of the nature of the link between the occult and demonic should not be discarded. Namely, the demonic may use psychological vulnerability, generated primarily from childhood trauma, to tempt the person to get involved in the occult without conscious awareness of doing so (Šram, 2017;Virkler, 1999).…”

“…Said differently, it offers an alternative R/S worldview. Satanic or reversed religion generates the existence of satanic spirituality that constitutes a dangerous threat to various realms of human mental health and well-being (Bufford, 1989(Bufford, , 2008Šram, 2017) and may present demonic-induced sicknesses (Isaacks, 2018).…”

Occultism and playing with the dead: When rituals go wrong

“…20 Satanic rituals, spiritual session and black magic easily generate felony and crime, as a wide number of reported cases already proved. 5,20…”

“…We have discussed demonic connotations, but there is a presence of demonic attributions even in nondelusional disorders, such as culturally bound phenomena of bizarre beliefs. 18,20,28…”

“…Satanic syndrome is a strange model, but accessible and acceptable, especially within a forensic or social psychiatry framework. 20 Satanic rituals, spiritual session and black magic easily generate felony and crime, as a wide number of reported cases already proved. 5,20 A ritual murder can be an anthropological curiosity; but western societies are not immune to them.…”