Real risks from illusory health beliefs
People who believe in pseudoscientific ideas and possess illusory health beliefs are putting their well-being at risk, according to a study. Illusory health beliefs are not based on scientific evidence or sound medical knowledge, but rather on personal opinions, superstitions, or misinterpretations of information. Examples include believing that certain foods can cure cancer, that wearing a specific amulet can ward off illness, or that a specific date or time is lucky or unlucky for medical appointments.
Psychologists in Liverpool and Manchester, UK found that people with stronger illusory health beliefs were much more likely to seek unvalidated therapies and treatment for ailments. This also coincided with the avoidance of evidence-based care.
“We see that the stronger the belief in pseudoscientific ideas, the greater the distrust in conventional medicine,” observed Dr Andrew Denovan, a Senior Lecturer in LJMU’s School of Psychology.
The team investigated more than 1,500 individuals and found that greater levels of illusory health belief significantly aligned with greater belief in the effectiveness of such non-evidence therapies. This included use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Importantly, many CAM therapies are not well-studied and claims about their effectiveness may not be supported by rigorous research.
Vaccine hesitancy
Alternatively, the stronger an individual’s belief in science coupled with viewing powerful others (health professionals) or themselves in control of health predicted significantly greater adherence to conventional health recommendations.
Dr Denovan, who was supported in the work by the BIAL Foundation, said: “Our beliefs about health often unconsciously shape the decisions we make daily. However, not all these beliefs are based on solid scientific foundations. Some, although well-intentioned, are illusory beliefs about health which can lead us away from effective practices and towards choices that can harm our health. It's important to bear in mind that while certain CAM approaches can offer complementary value, especially in contexts such as palliative care, rejecting conventional medicine based on scientific evidence can lead to serious consequences, such as vaccine hesitancy or the delayed important diagnoses.”
The study also revealed that certain factors can reduce or even suppress the intensity of this pattern. This is the case with valuing science and the perception of personal control over health, which is associated with more informed decisions and greater trust in health professionals.
“We are talking about self-serving illusions which persist because they serve personal psychological functions such as sheltering individuals from reality and affording emotional security,” added Andrew.
The paper “The relationship between illusory health beliefs, recommended health behaviours, and complementary and alternative medicine: An investigation across multiple time points”, is published in the journal Behavioral Sciences.
See other research from Dr Andrew Denovan Paranormal beliefs associated with coping less well .
