The willingness to act on behalf of nature and women's rights among Neo-Pagan and esoteric community members: The role of self-expansion

Abstract

The goal of the present study is to explore the relation between self-expansion, group efficacy, and the intention to join collective action on behalf of a group's values among practitioners of esoteric practices and members of Neo-Pagan online communities. We recruited 234 participants from online groups that focused on esoterism and magical practices (with heterogenous spiritual and religious self-identifications; e.g. Witches, Wiccan, Pagans, Christians, atheists, polytheists) to complete a survey. Results revealed that the perception of self-expansion resulting from belonging to the esoteric community was linked to a willingness to act on behalf of women's rights and nature conservation. This relationship was mediated by a group efficacy belief that group action could be successful in obtaining the preferred social goals.