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Contemplative Cults, Time Spent in a Cult and Dissociation and Depression in Former Members

Adams, Donna L.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1210341428

Abstract Details

2008, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Counselor Education (Education).
Little research has been done overall to explore the effects that cults have on individuals. Clinical observations noted in the literature have included a connection between contemplative techniques such as prolonged chanting and meditation and speaking in tongues that are used by some cults to disrupt critical thought processes, and symptoms such as trance-like dissociation and depression (Singer and Ofshe, 1990; West and Martin, 1994). Duration in a cult is thought to lead to transient and longer lasting effects (Singer and Ofshe). Using a two-way factorial MANOVA design and a two-way ANOVA design, pre-existing data from 477 former treatment seeking cultists was studied to examine the levels of depression and dissociation in former members of those who have been in contemplative-type cults compared to those who have been in cults where such techniques were not used. The variable of time spent in the group was also examined. Those who have been in contemplative-type cults were found to have higher levels of depression and dissociation. Time spent in a cult does not appear to have an effect on the level of depression and dissociation.
Dana Heller Levitt (Committee Chair)
Jerry Olsheski, PhD (Committee Member)
George Johanson, PhD (Committee Member)
Timothy Anderson, PhD (Other)
158 p.
Education; Mental Health; Personal Relationships; Personality; Psychology; Public Health; Rehabilitation; Religion; Social Psychology
cults; cult; dissociation; depression; former members; thought reform; contemplative; meditation; chanting; trance

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Adams, D. L. (2008). Contemplative Cults, Time Spent in a Cult and Dissociation and Depression in Former Members [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1210341428

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Adams, Donna. Contemplative Cults, Time Spent in a Cult and Dissociation and Depression in Former Members. 2008. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1210341428.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Adams, Donna. "Contemplative Cults, Time Spent in a Cult and Dissociation and Depression in Former Members." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1210341428

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1210341428
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© 2008, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.
Release 3.2.12