Magical Thinking and Mystical Experience: An Exploration of Delusional Disorder in Schizophrenic Patients.
Arum Pratiwi, Joko Sri Pujianto, Sukardi Sukardi, Erna Herawati, Abi Muhlisin, Sakanti Maulida Farjatulla, Fath Maulfi Putra
Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research September 11, 2025 DOI: 10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_18_23 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 30 |
| Population | Adult schizophrenic patients with delusional life experiences who were able to communicate, at a psychiatric hospital in Indonesia |
| Topics | Mystical experience |
| Keywords | Schizophrenia Delusions Cognitive behavioural therapy Psychotherapy Paranoid |
| Key findings | Patients' clinical histories revealed experiences of failure and loss, and two main themes shaped their delusional experiences: demonic forces and magical powers. Although patients shared these themes, each had a different specific experience. The authors suggest each patient may require a unique cognitive therapy based on their experience. |
Abstract
Abstract:
Background: Delusions are common positive symptoms in schizophrenic patients. Individuals with delusional disorders have different experiences in memory and beliefs. Exploring patients’ delusional beliefs is crucial to ascertaining appropriate psychotherapy programs. A few studies have explored the meanings of delusions for delusional patients. This study explores how schizophrenic patients lived experiences about their delusional beliefs.
Materials and Methods: The study was carried out at a psychiatric hospital in Indonesia in 2021. The participants included 30 adult schizophrenic patients who had delusional life experiences and were able to communicate. Open-ended questions and probes were applied during in-depth interviews. We interviewed family members as well to improve the rigor of the research. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used in this study.
Results: The patients’ clinical history revealed the experiences of failure and loss. Two main themes shaping their delusional experiences included demonic forces and magical powers.
Conclusions: Patients with delusions had similar themes, but each had a different specific experience. The findings suggest that each patient may require a unique cognitive therapy based on their experience.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on mystical experience, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The nature of peak experience in wilderness. Participants who had visited wilderness areas in Victoria, Australia, recruited via a... | 2009 | Qualitative study | n = 39 |
| Qualitative and Quantitative Features of Music Reported to Support Peak Mystical Experiences during Psychedelic Therapy Sessions Individuals with extensive experience administering psilocybin or psilocybin-containing... | 2017 | Survey and qualitative/quantitative analysis | n = 10 |
| Cannabis as entheogen: survey and interview data on the spiritual use of cannabis. Participants recruited from seven online communities, median age 33, 81% male | 2020 | Mixed methods (qualitative interviews and quantitative survey) | n = 319 |
| Clarifying and measuring the characteristics of experiences that involve a loss of self or a dissolution of its boundaries. Adults who reported an experience involving dissolution of self-boundaries or loss of... | 2024 | Cross-sectional survey with confirmatory factor analysis and qualitative thematic analysis | n = 386 |
| The developmental impact of not integrating childhood peak experiences Adults recalling their childhood peak experiences | 2007 | Qualitative study | n = 12 |