Near-death experiences (NDEs) can have lasting psychological effects. Positive NDEs typically increase spirituality, reduce fear of death, and foster compassion, while negative NDEs, though rarer, may cause confusion, emotional distress, and trauma. The way individuals interpret their NDE strongly influences its impact on personal growth and social integration. Health professionals need training to support those who have had NDEs, recognizing their psychological significance. People exposed to NDE accounts may also gain emotional and spiritual insights. NDEs are impactful psychological events requiring informed clinical attention.
Self-transcendence—going beyond personal limitations to connect with something greater—is linked to mental and physical health in older adults. A study of 333 Spanish older adults (ages 65–93, average 70.5) tested the psychometric properties of Wong's Self-Transcendence Measure-Brief (STM-B). The scale showed acceptable internal consistency, adequate fit to the data, and invariance across gender. No significant gender differences in self-transcendence were found. Self-transcendence correlated positively with meaning in life, resilient coping, and life satisfaction, and negatively (though not significantly) with stress and depression. No significant differences emerged by marital status, education, or income. The STM-B is a reliable and valid tool for measuring self-transcendence in older people.