TLDR
More people are turning to astrology, especially during uncertain times, and for some, this can become a problem that affects their mental health.
Summary
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1 Study Aim
The paper aims to review and summarize existing research on why people believe in astrology and use fortune-telling services, especially focusing on the possible risks of becoming overly dependent on these practices. The authors also seek to explore whether excessive use of astrology can be considered a behavioral addiction and what factors might contribute to this pattern. Some people may use astrology too much, and this paper looks at why that happens and what problems it might cause.
2 Study Design
The authors conducted a scoping review, which means they searched several large research databases (PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCO, and SCOPUS) for peer-reviewed studies about belief in astrology and fortune-telling. They used Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework (a structured way to review broad topics) to organize and summarize the findings. The review included studies that examined psychological, cognitive, and personality factors linked to astrology use, as well as case studies on 'fortune-telling addiction.' The researchers looked at many studies to see what connects people to astrology and fortune-telling, and how using these too much might become a problem.
3 Findings
The review reveals that belief in astrology is linked to how people think, their personality traits, and their psychological needs, such as wanting to confirm their self-image or cope with stress. The authors report that some people show signs of 'fortune-telling addiction,' which they describe as a behavioral addiction (a pattern where someone can't stop a certain behavior even if it causes problems). Symptoms include feeling distressed, craving astrology services, and making astrology a central part of life. The authors argue that more research is needed to understand why this happens and how to help people who may be at risk, so that effective prevention and treatment strategies can be developed. Some people rely on astrology so much that it can hurt their well-being, and more research is needed to find ways to help them.