Belief, Space, and Productivity: The Cultural Economy of Mystical Illnessin Denpasar, Bali

Study at a glance

Characteristics	Cross-sectional survey with PLS-SEM analysis Peer reviewed
Sample size	200
Population	Economically active individuals in Denpasar, Bali
Topics	Mysticism
Keywords	Moral economy Key lock Government linguistics Political economy
Key findings	Belief in mystical illness is positively associated with work productivity and economic life, with work productivity partially mediating this relationship and religious education moderating it.

Abstract

Mystical illness beliefs—encompassing notions of witchcraft, spirit possession, and supernatural affliction—remain embedded in many societies and continue to shape health-related behaviour, work practices, and economic life. In Denpasar, Bali, where traditional spiritual frameworks intersect with an increasingly modern urban economy, such beliefs retain social relevance. However, empirical evidence on how these culturally embedded beliefs relate to economic outcomes remains limited. This study addresses this gap by examining the relationships between belief in mystical illness, work productivity, economic life, and religious education. Data were collected from 200 economically active individuals in Denpasar using a structured questionnaire and purposive sampling. The analysis was conducted using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to assess both direct and indirect relationships, including mediation and moderation effects. The findings indicate that belief in mystical illness is positively associated with both work productivity and economic life, with work productivity partially mediating this relationship. In addition, religious education has been found to moderate the link between belief and economic outcomes, shaping how such beliefs translate into economic behaviour. While the moderating effect is relatively modest, it remains statistically significant. These results suggest that mystical illness beliefs do not operate solely as constraints on economic performance. Rather, within this context, they form part of a broader cultural system that can coexist with productive economic activity. The study highlights the importance of incorporating cultural and spiritual dimensions into analyses of economic behaviour and suggests that policy approaches should be sensitive to locally embedded belief systems. Although the findings are limited to an urban setting and rely on self-reported data, they offer insights into the complex interaction between belief, productivity, and economic life in culturally diverse contexts.

Comparable studies

Other cross-sectional and survey studies on mysticism, most cited first.

Study	Year	Design	Participants
Of Roots and Fruits: A Comparison of Psychedelic and Nonpsychedelic Mystical Experiences Self-selected participants who reported a religious, spiritual, or mystical experience	2016	Cross-sectional survey	n = 739
Values and Beliefs of Psychedelic Drug Users: A Cross-Cultural Study Users of psychedelic drugs, users of nonpsychedelic illegal drugs, and...	2006	Cross-sectional survey	n = 183
Illicit Use of LSD or Psilocybin, but not MDMA or Nonpsychedelic Drugs, is Associated with Mystical Experiences in a Dose-Dependent Manner Adults recruited from the MAPS website and newsletter, most reporting use of various...	2012	Cross-sectional survey	n = 337
Comparison of psychedelic and near-death or other non-ordinary experiences in changing attitudes about death and dying Individuals who reported an experience that altered their beliefs about death,...	2022	Cross-sectional survey	n = 3,192
Mystical experiences associated with seizures Patients with epilepsy	2014	Cross-sectional study	n = 98

Study at a glance

Abstract

Comparable studies

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