Does Learning About Near-Death Experiences Promote Psycho-Spiritual Benefits in Those Who Have Not Had a Near-Death Experience?
Natasha Tassell-Matamua, Nicole Lindsay, Simon Bennett, H. Valentine, J. Pahina
April 3, 2017 DOI: 10.1080/19349637.2016.1206844 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 143 |
| Population | Adults (unspecified) randomly assigned to intervention or non-intervention group |
| Intervention | Learning about near-death experiences |
| Topics | Near-death experience |
| Key findings | Learning about NDEs led to significant improvements in appreciation for life, spirituality, and appreciation for death in the intervention group, indicating that indirect exposure can yield psycho-spiritual benefits similar to those from actual NDEs. |
Abstract
Research has revealed a consistent pattern of positive aftereffects in those who report a near-death experience [NDE]. Beneficial outcomes are also possible for those who have not had a NDE, but instead learn about them, although much of this research has been conducted on therapeutic populations. Using a sample of 143 participants randomly assigned to either an intervention or non-intervention group, we investigated whether learning about NDEs generated the same psycho-spiritual benefits having a NDE does. Results revealed significant changes in appreciation for life, spirituality, and appreciation for death, in the intervention group after learning about NDEs.