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Attending psychic nights can help ease a person's grief, according to the initial findings of a research study.
The first-of-its-kind study, led Dr Adam Powell from our Institute for Medical Humanities, has explored the growing cultural phenomenon of psychic nights in England's pubs.
Psychological benefits regardless of belief
People attending psychic nights reported benefits such a sense of hope, comfort or closure. This was regardless of whether they were sceptical about the authenticity of such events.
Most participants did not identify exclusively as either firm believers in the supernatural, or science-led sceptics. The team found instead that people swung between both positions and often held contradictory views.
Almost three quarters of participants (74%) agreed that "science provides us with a better understanding of the universe than religion". However, 60% either disagreed or were uncertain that "we can only rationally believe in what is scientifically provable".
Belief in some aspects of the supernatural was fairly widespread. Just over three quarters (76%) believe in ghosts and 72% believe the soul continues to exist after death.
Over half (57%) suggested that religion is not important to them.
The researchers suggested the interest in psychic events could potentially be filling a gap caused by the decline of institutional religion in the West.
Limited wellbeing benefits
Over half of attendees agreed that simply attending a psychic night eased their grief over the death of a loved one.
However, there was a limit to the impact the events had on wellbeing. The benefits did not make people less anxious or reduce fear about their own death.
Far from simply seeking a fun night out or having a laugh, it seems the majority of those going to psychic nights in England do so out of a combination of faith and desire. Although their beliefs vary and fluctuate, most accept the plausibility of the supernatural in the face of death and grief.
The research team also included Dr Caroline Starkey from the University of Leeds, and Dr Josh Bullock from Kingston University. They plan to submit their findings to a peer-reviewed journal and will also be presenting the research at the American Academy of Religion annual conference in San Diego in November.
