The intertwining of death and life: a hermeneutic phenomenological investigation of near-death experiences among coma survivors.
BMC Psychol September 29, 2025 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-025-03447-9 (opens in new tab) via PubMed Central
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA hermeneutic phenomenological investigation explores how coma survivors who have had near-death experiences (NDEs) make sense of the intertwining of death and life. Through in-depth interviews, the study reveals that NDEs profoundly transform survivors' understanding of existence, leading to a re-evaluation of life, death, and self. Survivors describe a sense of continuity beyond physical death, often resulting in reduced fear of dying and a heightened appreciation for life. The findings suggest that NDEs offer a unique perspective on the relationship between mortality and living, challenging conventional dichotomies.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Coma survivors who have had near-death experiences |
| Key finding | Near-death experiences among coma survivors lead to a transformed understanding of the relationship between death and life, reducing fear of death and increasing appreciation for life. |
Abstract
The intertwining of death and life: a hermeneutic phenomenological investigation of near-death experiences among coma survivors.