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Near-death experiences and religion: A further investigation

Steven A. McLaughlin, H. Newton Malony

Journal of Religion and Health 1984 DOI: 10.1007/bf00996157 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Qualitative study Peer reviewed
Sample size 40
Population Near-death experiencers
Topics Near-death experience
Citations 31
Key findings The depth of a near-death experience correlates with a subsequent increase in the importance of religion and religious activity, but pre-NDE religious orientation does not predict NDE depth.

Abstract

The relationship between religion and near-death experiencers (NDEs) was examined by interviewing 40 near-death experiences who were given a series of instruments to measure religious orientation and religious change. No relationship was found between religious orientation prior to the NDE and the depth of the NDE. However, a significant correlation was found between the depth of the NDE and a subsequent increase both in the importance of religion and in religious activity. Various theoretical explanations of NDEs were examined to account for these findings.

Comparable studies

Other qualitative studies on near-death experience, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Qualitative thematic analysis of the phenomenology of near-death experiences Cardiac arrest survivors 2018 Qualitative study n = 34
Do Suicide Survivors Report Near-Death Experiences? Persons who had been close to death as a result of a suicide attempt 1982 Qualitative study n = 36
The evolving self: finding meaning in near-death experiences using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Female participants who had near-death experiences 2008 Qualitative study n = 3
Investigation of the phenomenology, physiology and impact of spiritually transformative experiences - kundalini awakening. Persons having a spiritually transformative experience (e.g., spontaneous energetic... 2021 Qualitative study
Is there a hell? Surprising observations about the near-death experience People who reported distressing or unpleasant near-death experiences 1992 Qualitative study n = 100

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