New-age Self-centred

Brisbane PhD student Rosemary Aird examined a possible link between new forms of spirituality and mental health. She found that spirituality and self-focused religions may undermine a person's mental health.

"I had a look at two different beliefs - one was a belief in God, associated with traditional religions, and the other was the newer belief in a spiritual or higher power other than God," Dr Aird said.

Non-traditional belief was linked with higher rates of anxiety, depression, disturbed and suspicious ways of thinking and anti-social behaviour. Young people with new-age beliefs were twice as likely to be more anxious and depressed than those with traditional beliefs, the research found.

"Traditional religion tends to promote the idea of social responsibility and thinking of others' interests, whereas the new-age movement pushes the idea that we can transform the world by changing ourselves."