Differences in Existential Perspectives as a Function of Having a Mystical-Type Experience
Alex Sielaff, Dylan E. Horner, Jeff Greenberg
Journal of Humanistic Psychology March 9, 2023 DOI: 10.1177/00221678231158679 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,923 |
| Population | Adults who have or have not had mystical-type experiences |
| Topics | Anxiety Mysticism Mystical experience |
| Keywords | Existentialism Trait Context archaeology Death anxiety Terror management theory Epistemology Theology |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key findings | MTEs are associated with less death anxiety and more growth-oriented worldviews but also with more mental health symptoms, contrary to clinical findings. |
Abstract
Prior research suggests that unique phenomenological experiences called “mystical-type experiences” (MTEs) have the potential to induce significant and persisting worldview changes. In this article, two studies add to this literature by using cross-sectional data from 837 and 1,086 participants, respectively, to investigate whether people who have had one of these experiences differ in predictable ways from those who have not on relevant existential variables. Specifically, we tested two novel hypotheses rooted in terror management theory, along with two predictions based on past research. In specific, the yes-MTE group was hypothesized to have (a) less fear of death and greater belief in death as a passage, (b) a more intrinsic and growth-oriented worldview, (c) fewer mental health symptoms, and (d) higher trait absorption. The data largely supported hypotheses 1, 2, and 4 while the results for hypothesis 3 were opposite of expectations, suggesting that clinical research with psychedelic-induced MTEs may not be generalizable to MTEs experienced outside the supportive therapeutic context.