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Donna Thomas

5 papers in the library · 18 citations · publishing 2022-2026

Papers

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Children’s near-death experiences: A narrative review and future directions for investigating near-death experiences with children.

Psychology of Consciousness Theory Research and Practice March 30, 2026 Donna Thomas, Graeme O’Connor

In comparison to adults, little is known about children's near-death experiences (NDEs).A review of the literature shows a scarcity of studies that directly involve children and an absence of direction for this area of work.This presents challenges for researchers who want to develop studies with children and generate more knowledge around the NDE.From a phenomenological perspective, children...

DOI: 10.1037/cns0000465 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Narrative review Perspective graphical Theme computing Work physics +1

The Eight Dimensions of Altered States of Consciousness in Adults and their Convergence with Childhood Consciousness

PsyArXiv February 8, 2026 Donna Thomas, Marc Wittmann preprint

Recent research shows that young children frequently report non-ordinary experiences, including extra sensory perceptions, out-of-body experiences, and states of self-transcendence, reflecting relational, pre-linguistic, and weakly individualised forms of consciousness. This paper integrates qualitative studies of children’s experiences with contemporary altered states of consciousness (ASC)...

“My mind is not in my brain”: exploring consciousness with children using creative research methods

Qualitative Research in Psychology May 30, 2024 Donna Thomas, Zoe O’Riordan

ABSTRACT The focus on the brain over the last few decades has seen an overclaiming of the human condition through brain-based research. Researching consciousness is an enquiry into who we are, our subjective experiences and our relationality with others and the world. In typical and child development research, materialist orientations dominate the field, assuming brains as the manufacturers of...

Exploring near death experiences with children post intensive care: A case series.

Explore 2024 Donna Thomas, Graeme O'Connor 11 citations

Near death experiences (NDEs) can occur during life-threatening events. In this article, we present preliminary findings from a case study series. We highlight experiences of children that are synchronous with the basic elements of near death experiences (NDEs) and discuss how children describe their own experiences. Children reported unsolicited NDE type experiences that included out of body...

DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2023.11.003 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Children Creative research methods Intensive-care unit Near death experiences +1

Postmaterial Participatory Research: Exploring the nature of self with children

International Journal for Transformative Research December 1, 2022 Donna Thomas 7 citations

Abstract In this article, I argue for the value of participatory methodologies, in research with children, which aims to privilege their epistemologies and living experiences in relation to the nature of self. Researching self with children raises questions about the mainstream materialist paradigm which holds hegemony over most academic disciplines – and, importantly, over the life worlds of...