Factors of Using Esoteric Services for Health Purposes
Background. Esoteric practices today represent a significant market sector worldwide and in Russia. Part of the reasons to apply to such services are health related. At the same time, predictors of use of such services are still poorly studied. Most 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). 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.
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, and trust to health care system.
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. Intentions to use esoteric services were are positively connected with distrust in conventional medicine and trust in alternative medicine. However, trust in conventional medicine does not always play the role of a significant negative predictor.
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. The esoteric services could be considered by part of the population as both complementary and alternative way for health services.
Funding. The reported study was funded by Russian Science Foundation (RSF).