Magical thinking and absorption

Background: This study examined magical ideation and absorption traits across non-clinical and clinical groups to reveal their potential adaptive and maladaptive functions. Sampling and Methods: The healthy participants were recruited from neighboring communities and included 760 persons (women = 53.2%). The patient's sample included 318 individuals (women = 66.5%) consisting of 25 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, 183 patients with anxiety disorders, and 110 participants with mood disorders. Potentially adaptive and maladaptive socio-cognitive functions were measured to reveal the role of the magical ideation and self-absorption in patients with several psychiatric disorders. Results: The results showed the degree of magical ideation and absorption gradually grew from anxiety disorders, healthy individuals, and mood disorder to schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Further, found that self-absorption-related enhanced consciousness was the most considerable factor in self–integration weakness in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Conclusion: The magical ideation and psychological absorption may be accounted for as a mental model construction function that results in both handicaps and gains in the social adaptation.