J Coreil

'New age' healing in the U.S.

Social science & medicine (1982) January 1, 1986 J S Levin, J Coreil

New Age healing, a phenomenon largely overlooked in social science research, is conceptually defined and analyzed. Drawing on diverse sources, the authors first define 'New age' and discuss the medical, spiritual, and sociocultural developments that explain its rise in the U.S. A comprehensive review of over a dozen schemata of healing and medical systems fails to classify new age healing satisfactorily. Analyzing data from 81 self-identified new age healing systems or techniques, an inductive typology yields three general modes: mental or physical self-betterment, esoteric teachings, and contemplative practice, which respectively emphasize body, mind, and soul.