Kenneth Drinkwater

Introduction: Research has established that mental toughness (MT), the capacity to withstand stress and sustain performance under pressure, is affiliated with real-world outcomes such as psychological well-being and academic success. To balance the conceptual importance of MT with the practical constraints of assessing the construct within large test batteries, theorists developed the Mental Toughness Questionnaire 10 (MTQ10), an abridged 10-item version of the 48-item Mental Toughness Questionnaire (MTQ48). Despite using high school students in the development of the MTQ10, investigators failed to assess adolescent comprehension of the instrument. Methods: To address this, the present study validated an adolescent version (aMTQ10) of the scale. The authors used an expert panel to evaluate item accessibility and implemented age-appropriate modifications. Validation of the aMTQ10 derived from a sample of 5,305 UK secondary school pupils from 80 schools. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported a one-factor model. Invariance existed across age and school type, with partial invariance observed for gender. Analysis of latent means found that boys scored higher than girls and 13–14-year-olds scored higher than 14–15-year-olds. Additionally, private school pupils scored higher than state school pupils. The aMTQ10 demonstrated good internal reliability and convergent validity. Confirming the instrument’s incremental validity, aMTQ10 scores uniquely predicted subjective well-being beyond belongingness. Discussion: These results indicate that the aMTQ10 is a psychometrically satisfactory adaptation of the MTQ10 suitable for educational settings. The established normative data enables educators and practitioners to accurately interpret age-related MT scores and support adolescent psychological development.

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Haunted People Syndrome (HP-S) characterizes recurrent ‘ghostly episodes’ as an interactionist phenomenon emerging from people with heightened somatic-sensory sensitivities that are stirred by dis-ease states, contextualized with paranormal belief, and reinforced via perceptual contagion and threat-agency detection. We tested the applicability of this psychological model via a three-part, quali-quantitative case study of a 36-year-old male in France, who self-reported successive encounter experiences seemingly triggered by the popular horror game and visual novel, Doki Doki Literature Club! The percipient completed several standardized measures that mapped the contents and context of his experiences, including indices of ‘deep’ imaginary companions, stigmata-like marks, and enchantment effects. We also conducted independent content analyses of his written account to compare the narrative’s development and descriptions to published sequences for HP-S and dissociative phenomena. This episode showed (a) slightly below-average ‘haunt intensity’ and a content structure that paralleled both fantasy and lifestyle-based accounts, (b) an above-average score on a screener for HP-S recognition patterns, which we corroborated with scores on separate measures of transliminality, paranormal belief, and stress levels, (c) a narrative sequence that aligns reasonably well to the posited process of HP-S, (d) clear indications of depersonalization, derealization, and dissociated identity, and (e) aftereffects of situational-enchantment. The percipient’s understanding of his experiences also evolved over time due to active sense-making activities. Our findings support prior research suggesting that embodied, embedded, extended, and enactive cognitions partly help to shape the phenomenology of these often transformative and clinically-relevant experiences.

Illusory health beliefs (IHBs) represent invalid ideations about health and potentially impact health behaviours and practices in meaningful ways. Examples include the uptake of methods with less conclusive evidence/support (e.g., complementary and alternative medicine, CAM) versus empirically validated approaches (e.g., recommended by health professionals). However, measurement obfuscation of IHB has hindered construct operationalisation. This study examined a newly developed measure (the Illusory Health Beliefs Scale) in the context of health outcomes. Specifically, we explored adherence to recommended health behaviours (e.g., lifestyle, vaccines) and trust in healthcare professionals versus CAM use. Assessments included theoretically linked constructs, comprising health locus of control, belief in science, and belief in CAM. Using a sample of 1507 (734 males, 768 females, 7 non-binary), a statistical model tested relationships across time points. Path analysis revealed that IHBs aligned with openness to unorthodox treatments alongside lower confidence in conventional treatment methods. Crucially, locus of control and belief in science mediated/weakened this relationship, predicting greater adherence to health recommendations and trust in health professionals. Belief in CAM strengthened the relationship between IHBs and CAM use. The findings provide initial evidence regarding the contribution of IHBs to health outcomes, and a basis for future research to further explore the IHB-health relationship.

Auerbach et al. (2023) proposed an AECKO model to describe the features and dynamics of a poltergeist-like disturbance they investigated with virtual technology during the COVID-19 pandemic. A two-part exercise nonetheless shows that their findings fundamentally support Laythe, Houran, Dagnall et al.’s (2021) grounded theory of Haunted People Syndrome (HP-S), which was independently developed at an earlier time. HP-S asserts that ghostly episodes recurrently manifesting to certain people are an interactionist phenomenon emerging from individuals with heightened somatic-sensory sensitivities, which are stirred by dis-ease states, contextualized with paranormal belief, and reinforced via perceptual contagion and threat-agency detection. Part 1 of our research identified strong conceptual parallels between the AECKO and HP-S models, whereas Part 2 involved a content analysis by an independent and clinically-trained researcher (with cross-checking by an expert panel) who used standardized measures to compare Auerbach et al.’s case to the phenomenology of ‘spontaneous’ ghostly episodes and the five recognition patterns of HP-S. The available data suggested this case had below-average ‘haunt intensity’ that closely approximated baseline scores for Illicit and Fantasy narratives. Likewise, its S/O distribution pattern most resembled accounts with knowingly embellished or false testimony. These results imply that the anomalies considered here were not expressly ‘spontaneous.’ Content analysis further detected a majority of the HP-S recognition patterns in the case material, as well as evidence that the apparent focus person strongly matched the psychometric profile of poltergeist agents found in prior research. Auerbach et al.’s data, therefore, arguably provide good concurrent validity for the HP-S model. Taken altogether, we assert that ghostly episodes are best conceptualized, researched, and addressed through a biopsychosocial lens and phenomenological approach, irrespective of the potential contribution of putative psi. We discuss these ideas relative to new research directions and clinical applications.

Background/objectives: Cognitive decline and loss of physical function are common concerns in older adults, with limited effective interventions available. This study aimed to assess the impact of pomegranate extract (PE) supplementation on cognitive and physical function in older adults aged 55–70 years. Methods: A randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted with 86 participants, who were assigned to receive either PE (740 mg) or a placebo (maltodextrin) daily for 12 weeks. Cognitive function was assessed using computerised tests (Corsi, digit span, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Tower of Hanoi, Stroop test and Rey auditory verbal learning test). Physical function was measured through assessments of standing balance, gait speed, chair sit to stand and grip strength. Results: There was a significant effect of treatment and time on WCST performance (F (1,2) = 2.718, p = 0.05), while trends towards better outcomes in the PE group were noted for digit span, Tower of Hanoi and Stroop tests. Physical function did not seem to be affected by the intervention, but results may have been limited by the high baseline physical activity levels and full mobility of the older adults. Conclusions: This was the first study to examine the effect of PE on cognitive and physical function over a duration of 12 weeks. Findings suggest that PE supplementation has potential in improving cognitive function and may offer a promising approach to preventing cognitive decline in ageing adults. Further controlled and well-designed long-term studies are needed to establish the long-term effects of PE on cognitive and physical health, along with the mechanisms of action involved.

Recent research indicates that paranormal belief, in the absence of allied cognitive-perceptual and psychopathology-related factors, is not associated with negative wellbeing outcomes. However, investigators have historically reported relationships between specific facets of belief (e.g., superstition) and stress vulnerability. These typically derive from the Revised Paranormal Belief Scale (RPBS), which has questionable psychometric integrity. The main issue being that several RPBS items perform poorly. Noting this, the present paper re-examined the relationship between paranormal belief and stress using the Rasch purified version of the RPBS. This comprises two dimensions, called Traditional Paranormal Belief (TPB) and New Age Philosophy (NAP). These are operationalised in terms of function. Specifically, whether belief provides a sense of control at the social (TPB) or individual level (NAP). Accordingly, this study examined whether TPB and NAP were differentially predictive of levels of perceived stress. In this context, stress served as an indicator of well-being. A sample of 3084 participants (Mage = 50.31, SD = 15.20, range 18–91) completed the RPBS alongside the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling revealed that TPB was significantly predictive of higher Distress, and lower Coping. NAP was neither predictive of Distress nor Coping. These findings support the notion that TPB is attendant with external control, particularly the notion that unknown supernatural forces/powers influence existence.

The Inventory of Personality Organization-Reality Testing Subscale (IPO-RT) and Belief in Science Scale (BIS) represent indirect, proxy measures of intuitive-experiential and analytical-rational thinking. However, a limited appraisal of factorial structure exists, and assessment of person-item functioning has not occurred. This study assessed the IPO-RT and BIS using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Rasch analysis with a sample of 1030 participants (465 males, 565 females). Correlation analysis revealed a negative, moderate relationship between the measures. CFA supported a bifactorial model of the IPO-RT with four bifactors (Auditory and Visual Hallucinations, Delusional Thinking, Social Deficits, and Confusion). A one-factor model best fitted the BIS. Satisfactory item/person reliability and unidimensionality was observed for both measures using Rasch analysis, and items generally exhibited gender invariance. However, IPO-RT items were challenging, whereas BIS items were relatively easy to endorse. Overall, results indicated that the IPO-RT and BIS are conceptually sound, indirect indices of intuitive-experiential and analytical-rational thinking. Acknowledging the breadth of these thinking styles, a useful future research focus includes evaluating the performance of IPO-RT and BIS alongside objective tests.