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Faith at the Edge of Life: A Mixed-Methods Study of Near-Death Experiences and Spiritual Transformation in the Philippines

Fides del Castillo, Gregory S. Ching, Clarence Darro del Castillo, Stefan Huber

Religions September 9, 2025 DOI: 10.3390/rel16091158 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Mixed-methods study Qualitative Peer reviewed
Sample size 683
Population Filipino adults who acknowledged having near-death experiences
Topics Buddhism Near-death experience
Keywords Spirituality Transformative learning Faith Existentialism Value mathematics Religious experience Spiritual development Qualitative research Grounded theory Qualitative property Altruism biology Narrative inquiry Belief system Gender studies Epistemology Religiosity Exploratory research
Citations 1
Key points Most Filipino adults reported increased or unchanged spirituality after a near-death experience, and only age significantly predicted perceived spiritual change.

Abstract

Near-death experiences (NDEs) encompass transformative existential experiences that lead to religious change. Although most previous research focused primarily on Western contexts, there remains less understanding of individuals’ interpretations of NDEs in pluralistic societies such as the Philippines. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study examined the relationship between NDEs and spiritual transformation in a sample of 683 Filipino adults who acknowledged having NDEs. Quantitative data were assessed in terms of levels of religiosity, NDE occurrence, and perceived spiritual change according to different demographics. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression. For the qualitative analysis, narrative responses on the reason why their spirituality increased, stayed the same, or decreased were thematically classified. Six focused phenomenological narratives are noted: altruism and helping others, challenges to spirituality, increased and strengthened religious practices, no changes or decreased faith, reflection and growth, and validation of divine presence. In addition, while the majority reported increased or unchanged spirituality following their NDE, only age emerged as a significant predictor of perceived spiritual change. Overall, findings highlight how personal experience, identity, and cultural beliefs shape religious meaning-making after NDEs. This study offers a culturally grounded understanding of spiritual change and highlights the value of a mixed-methods approach in religious studies.

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
Near-death experiences and religion: A further investigation Near-death experiencers 1984 Qualitative study n = 40

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Buddhism Near-death experience Philosophy of mind